To completely give up on being rational when my period is due

[GraceMarks]

I really hate the stereotype of women going all emotional and shouty when it's their time of the month. But last night, I was watching a crappy film in which a character dies who happened to have the same name as one of my pets. Suddenly, I found myself clutching said (bemused) pet to my bosom and sobbing all over him. And yes, shortly afterwards I realised that I was about to come on.

Please cheer me up (or not!) by sharing your tales of equally irrational premenstrual behaviour, so I know it's not just me...

It's definitely not just you. I've resigned from jobs, instigated divorce proceedings and bought the actual ugliest clothes ever ever made, in the days before my period.

I've got a coil now so no periods, but I keep the monthly reminder in my phone just to warn myself when I'm about to go batshit.

I have a Netflix profile for PMT Me, full of lovely, harrowing, bleak, sob-inducing movies that I can enjoy fully in the 3 days before I come on.

The worst part is, I never think, "Am I premenstrual?" It always feels as if the rage/sobbing/moods are caused by the film/something DH says/the DC/dropping a spoon, and never my hormones. It always feels justified.

These threads amaze me. I've been on the depo injection since I was 17 and never had a single bleed or mood swing. I honestly don't know how women cope living with pmt every month! I'm not saying that in a dick ish way either!

I am normally a fairly 'even' person; BUT I had severe PMT I would really be up for a fight for a few days before (not physical). Since I had the children, it stopped, thank goodness. DH was brilliant, but didn't know if I would jump down his throat for no reason.

Oh OP. I feel you.

It's an annoying stereotype but one that 100% fits with me!

I am an absolute cow sometimes when I'm on. I genuinely feel for my DH. Sometimes just him breathing too loud near me will be enough to make steam come from my ears. I've come close to quitting my job before because of the absolute rage over something I'd not think twice about any other week.

And the crying at absolutely nothing? Yep... We have the same conversation most months where I have to convince DH that there is nothing wrong despite the fact I'm sobbing.

It's funny because at the time I'm completely convinced that I'm being reasonable and whatever I'm annoyed/upset about is genuinely annoying/upsetting but then when it's over, I can look back and see how daft I was acting!

I'm sure there are lots of women who don't have anything like this. But I have all the stereotypical time of the month traits unfortunately!

MollysLips I know, I never make the connection until the actual period starts, then it suddenly clicks. "Oh, perhaps I wasn't really crying because the first biscuit in the packet was broken..."

Hadalifeonce I have no children but I am perimenopausal so if anything, it's getting worse. Just trying to stick it out now until it's finally all over.

I once cried on my walk to work (in a fairly grotty part of town) because the trees and sky were too beautiful to cope with.