AIBU to think PMS gets worse as you get older?

[Twinmummy2018]

I turned 30 a few months ago and have noticed that since then a week before my period I am thoroughly depressed, feeling shitty and just horrible to my DH. And I can’t control it, so it’s definitely PMS and I’ve never suffered with this before. Does PMS get worse as you get older?

I had my last baby at 36 and my PMS was hideous from then on (ten years of this joy and counting). I don't get rage (well, a bit but not toooo bad) but the physical symptoms are torture. I cannot bear anything touch my boobs or anywhere near them and I go up two bra sizes. My stomach can look 6 months pregnant and my whole system seems to seize up meaning I have to seriously focus on fibre. Oh and my hair gets greasy. It's the having to have two different wardrobes for the pre and post period weeks that pisses me off too .

I have tried exercise (years of running 10 miles plus and I had to take Nurofen to cope with the pain of running during the pre stage), diet (I lost two stone) magnesium, vitamin B complex, Agnus Castus, cutting out alcohol/dairy/sugar/caffeine, alone and as combinations. nothing has worked. I had fibroids and had them removed but this did not have any impact. I asked two Gynacologists and they shrugged and agreed, yes, not much you can do. End of.

It is awful and I sympathise with anyone who suffers, especially with mood. It is a cruel syndrome, especially as it does not exist in terms of medication, as a reason to take to your bed (or just a muu-muu) for two weeks a month.

ladybirdman: your symptoms sound like oestrogen dominance, have a look here at progesterone cream and see if it is something that might help you. www.johnleemd.com/progesterone-cream.html

Thank you for the info @pudding21 - I currently take Maca which has been brillant for my immune system and in general - I exercise 4 days a week and take a multi vitamin, I also live abroad in a hot country so vitamin D shouldn’t be a problem.

However I think I’ll definitely give primrose oil a try and a natural progesterone cream. Do you recommend any brands? I’m over to the Uk for a 4 day trip in a few weeks so will grab some then!

I had to have my ovaries out and it was best thing I ever had done. My PMs was vile. 3 weeks sometimes. Do have memopause now but rather that.

I livein Portugal and many people here have low Vit D levels, its sunny but the UV B rays are weak, doesn't always fit that if its sunny you have enough vit d.

The cream I use is this one, but it is mail order, I don't know if you can buy it anywhere over the counter, I would start with a low %. and see how you get on. It is very effective, make sure you dose it like it reccomends. www.onasnatural.uk/collections/2-progesterone-creams

It does in my experience (I'm 39). Also: just after my period, anxiety. Followed by a week all good, then PMT. urgh.

Really appreciate your post pudding21
I'm familiar with Dave Asprey and know he is credible.
I've got fibriods, brain fog.
Will give the recommendations a try...

Yes and it's miserable. Since having my kids it awful, the week leading up I am mentally unwell, then rage, then headache so bad it makes me sick and then it starts blood loss so heavy it makes me feel faint for 2 days then it tails off.

I think it does, or it may just be that you get more in tune with your body and aware of PMS

Pudding thank you for that. One (french) doctor did tell me that I probably needed progesterone cream but it isn't sold where I live. I have been in France many times since and thought of it but wasn't sure what I'd be asking for or if it was evensold over the counter. Will do more research and see if I can't get it next time I'm there. I would be thrilled to find something that worked!

I'm 39 and the last 4 years mine has gotten worse I'm ready to leave my husband or kick him out I have been taking a b complex supplement for the last six months and I swear it is helping I don't hate him as much which is good as I love him dearly 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ being female is great fun sometimes

Angus castus might be worth a try. Mine was a sign I was heading into peri menopause at 36....

I could have written this myself. Since turning 30 my PMS is becoming really problematic. From ovulation until about 2 days into my period I'm like a different person; low mood, anxiety, tearful, unmotivated. It's like a black cloud has lifted once it shifts and I'm back to normal for 2 weeks! It's a nightmare 😔

Not for me personally- I'm 45.

Rargh! Agreed!!!

Definitely true for me. I'm in my 40s now and the symptoms are much worse than they used to be.

pudding how do you use the cream? Do you only need a small amount? Is it a face cream?

"I turned 30 a few months ago"

oh, you sweet summer child...

Mine went off the scale just after I turned 40 but then it became clear it was the perimenopause - hot flushes and bonkers cycle happened around the same time. But the mood swings were like nothing I've ever known!

I'd just got divorced but honestly if I'd been in a relationship it would've suffered enormously! I know I would've had many times where I'd have been ashamed of my behavious so it was a good thing I was single. Did mean I had a hell of a time coming to terms with the end of my marriage (xh moved on swiftly and easily, as men often do).

Anyway I'm talking about it in the past tense because after a year of various herbs that did next to nothing (agnus castus took the worst edge off my lowest moods though) I caved and went on the pill - not the godawful microgynon, it's called Qlaira, and that sorted me out immediately. My boobs had started to shrink and they're back yippee

@rattusrattus20 thank you for making me feel young! I’ve been feeling old since hitting the big 30.

So glad to hear that other woman are in the same boat as me, but feeling for you all as it does SUCK!

Will try the b complex and primrose oil and progesterone cream. Hope it helps!

I’ve read that magensium is good for PMS and balancing hormones has anyone used it for this reason?

Not me. Lots PMS when I was < 25, very little since (almost 30 yrs later).

Mine had changed a lot. When I first started having periods the symptoms were very physical - nausea, fainting, headaches. Then it settled to mild cramps and mild crankiness. Now (mid twenties) I have severe debilitating brain fog, depression type symptoms (changes to sleep/eating habits, low mood, inability to motivate myself to move, fatigue), explosive anger, sometimes anxiety (but not with every period), sometimes I have extreme clingyness, but no dizziness/nausea and only very mild cramps. I considering going on the pill to see if it will alleviate the symptoms because it’s making work difficult and having a negative effect on my husband and children.

Yes.
I'm worse since having dd and its the 5-7 days before that I become a vile b*tch.

I'm actually going to start taking evening primrose again as I stopped when pregnant but I believe that helped my attitude/ world view/ hate to dh etc 😂

Maybe try it?

I used to cry, now I growl.

Progesterone actually causes PMS symptoms in some women. Hence my nightmare with the progestin-only pill. Progesterone cream did nothing for me.