Does PMS get worse as you get older?

[Allyoli]

I'm 35 and noticed over the past year or so that I'm getting much worse PMS symptoms than usual. I wondered if this is normal with age or if it's a sign of perimenopause?

In the week leading up to my period I'm so unreasonably angry and irritable it scares me. My boobs ache so bad I have to lie on my back in bed rather than my side, and my stomach is unbearably uncomfortable and bloated. I've always had a bit of bloating and feeling a bit emotional a few days before, but this is different. My periods are regular every month, my cycle is 28-30 days.

I had an ultrasound scan 6 months ago because of the bloating and discomfort - they told me everything looked normal, said I was ovulating at the time and I had lots of eggs. I'm fit and healthy (BMI is 21. I'm training for the Ride 100 in London later this month), eat well and look after myself generally. Concerned it might be perimenopause because I started my periods early (just after my 11th birthday).

Mine definitely got worse as I got older! I'm late 40's. Had an implant put in back in October which has massively eased the PMS and period pains, apart from the sore boobs. I used to get waves of pain so bad I could feel it go down to the back of my knees and it would make me catch my breath.

Mine definitely does. I'm currently lying on the sofa plotting how I will afford a flat of my own when I divorce my husband. Which is how I know my period is due.

I also get really bad ovulation pain now which I never did before.

I really feel all the stages of my cycle now, whereas before it was just period then three weeks of normality.

I find I'm HORRIBLE just before, then my period starts and we're all like "Oh! That's why Badger's been such a bitch...", really venomous, snappy and so irritable. Or weepy, but it's all so much worse than when I was younger. Like a PP, I also get dreadful ovulation pain! It lasts 3-4 days, i had an ultrasound because I was worried I had another ovarian cyst... And a real slump following the period, I could lie there all day and do nothing.

TLDR, yes, I feel everything menstrual cycle-related so much more than I did when I was a teen/20s/early 30s.

What implant do you have @LittlePoBeep if you don't mind me asking? I've been considering getting one but worried it will make me worse!

@SaveMeFromForearms You have described me exactly, I'm glad it's not just me! This month I'm fantasing about ditching my partner, quitting my job and travelling around Europe in a campervan...

Yes, sorry, it gets massively worse.
I was genuinely ok until late 40s. Now 54, still having regular periods, boobs are like a pair of nightmares and I want to kill someone (for about 2 weeks out of 4)

Oh great... thanks for the heads up though 😅

Let's go together.

I'm not sure it's all me or if he is turning into a moaning middle aged git tbh.

I could have written this. Also 35, healthy weight, run, do yoga, sleep well, eat well, have reduced alcohol to 1-2 glasses of wine once a week, limiting sugar. Fittest I've ever been. Menstrual cycle not regular at all though But also feeling all the menstrual cycle phases....every month for a few days I make plans for leaving my family and going to live by myself on the beach far, far away.
Haven't been on any contraception after last child so about 7 years. Have been to GP who prescribed mini pill...will see if it improves anything

Ffs I’m 23 and already awful.

@Allyoli I had Nexplanon. It messed up my periods for the first 6 months....8 or 9 day periods, up to a week (if 8 was lucky!) with no bleed, then another 8 or 9 day bleed. I've had 2 months now of 9 day bleeds with a much bigger gap inbetween so it is settling down. PMT is miles better though!

I got the implant once and for the first 3-4 months honestly thought I was going insane.

I had no periods on it which was a massive bonus, but honestly couldn't do it ever again.