PMT worse the older I get... your solutions?

[mylittleyumyum]

I'm 43, and for the past two years the symptoms on the lead up to my period hve started becoming more pronounced and lasting longer.

The RAGE one week before I can just about handle, it peaks for one day and I try to take myself away from everyone and avoid stressful situations as much as I can.

But today, I'm about 3 days from coming on and I am in pain. My joints are aching, especially my neck. My generally puny wrists are worse and weaker than ever. I have a low level headache, mild cramps/backache and I keep dropping things and falling over my own feet. I'm hot. I can't be arsed.

Is there anything I can start taking which will balance things out a bit - anything that is guaranteed to work? I can't really be doing with herbal remedies which have little to no real effects.

Hi OP. I have no solutions but just wanted to show some solidarity as I am in exactly the same boat. I posted recently but didn't get any responses. I'm coming up to 40 and have exactly the same pre period symptoms as you, before it just used to pass me by without a real care...now, oh wow.
I'll keep checking back to see if anyone has any ideas for us!

No advice I’m afraid but following with interest. Am 40 and my pms seems worse every cycle - and my cycles are getting shorter so it’s all the more frequent! Interested that you mention dropping things, as one of the surefire signs for me that AF is imminent is clumsiness.

I'm the same and similar age, it feels like half my life is being taken up with managing my period symptoms. My flow has also become incredibly heavy in the last 3-4 years, with regular flooding. Lockdown was actually a blessing so it didn't happen in work. I'm considering getting the coil to try to help.

Sounds like PMDD. Sertraline. 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. Life changing!

HRT? Seems obvious but sounds like classic perimenopausal symptoms

HRT? Sounds like perimenopause

Sorry to elaborate - I’m only 32 and for the past 4 years things have ramped up - 1 week high anxiety, 1 week that plus fury, 1 week bleeding, 1 week getting life back on track. Repeat forever!
Also such horrendous aches and pains - feet aching, sciatic pain flaring, spine pain (neck and low back). Been investigated for all sorts but nothing wrong with me, it’s just hormones now I think. But for mood, 100% sertraline. I had a baby 4 months ago and during pregnancy all these things disappeared. Heaven! Now back with a vengeance.

I had exactly the same in my 40s, awful rage and despair in the run up to my periods. I now take HRT and never get PMT. I wish I'd got it years before and spared myself and dh so much anguish.

I'm 41 and it's the rage I feel just before that's driving me mad! I'm about to go back onto contraception (despite being sterilised) to try and even my hormones out.

Same here at 40yo. I just want to close myself away for a couple of weeks each month then I come on and realise why. I've never had so much rage in me.

I seem to be taking forever to start bleeding properly too which is annoying. I'm prone to suddenly flooding which is awkward when I'm out and about.

Such a joyful time...

It's a shame so many of us are in the same boat, it's a horrible phase. Much worse than puberty!

I was on seroxat many moons ago - it sertraline much different? I took Seroxat for perhaps about 3 years, - I thought they were working, put up with the low level side effects - but I actually felt better when I stopped.

I think it may be time to go to the docs and see if HRT may be an option.

Agree with HRT. I need to try and get some myself, my GP appointment was recently cancelled. Similar problems including disrupted sleep with what feels like anxiety or palpitations. I'm always tired, too.

Also would recommend an omega 3 supplement for the joints. I take 2000mg daily.

Ive had dreadful pmt symptoms since mid 30s, 2 weeks of low mood, rage and irritability each month. Initially, similar to the poster suggesting sertraline my GP advised me to take prozac for 2 weeks post ovulation monthly. At the time I didn't take the script but in hindsight I should have done. Thankfully my pmt has reduced since I got the mirena coil in last year. I generally try to take life a bit easier in those 2 weeks prior to my period and plan my busier tasks etc for the 2 weeks after my period, I take a supplement and high strength omega 3 also. I'm so interested in the feedback on the comments, and am particularly interested in the use of HRT in balancing hormones. Hopefully you find a resolution

with me that was a sign of perimenopause. HRT helped. My sister went on mirena and that helped her a low level dose of progesterone.

@sleighbellsjiggling the flooding can be sorted. But you may need to try a few things. My sister used the mirena, I used the pill for a bit then HRT. Get your iron levels checked as you are likely to be low in iron and that can make flooding worse.

Have you tried the mirena coil? I was sceptical but honestly, best thing I did. I'm 44 and have had it for a year

Mini pill worked for me. Took 3 months for side effects to subside but since then it's been great. Barely any periods and I'm much more balanced emotionally. Tried mycrogynon and Mirena but neither quite worked. Hoping I can't stick with mini pill for a while as can't face the PMS again.

Same symptoms - seems there are quite a few of us.

I have a lovely GP who basically said it's like a second puberty- but worse. I'm trying Sertraline for PMDD (which is a peri-meno symptom) just started so fingers crossed. Happy to get on the HRT as soon as possible!!! Xxx

What two weeks do you take it? Cycle days 1-14? Thanks - I'm currently taking a low dose daily (25mg) half a tablet x