To ask what on earth to do about my hellish periods

[Stickworm]

Posting for traffic 🙈

I have suspected I have PMDD for quite some time now, everything has sort of slotted into place in my head. I was on the pill from age 16-26 and from then on had terrible anxiety and depression. This miraculously went away when I was pregnant and breastfeeding (happened with 2 pregnancies) but when my periods returned all hell broke loose. My period returned this time about 6 months ago and it’s worse than ever. I now suspect as well as PMDD (severe anxiety before period, restlessness, insomnia, depressive thoughts, terrible fatigue) I may also have endometriosis. My periods are heavier than ever before and often bleed from the 🍑 (sorry TMI!) during my period. I have nausea and headaches as well. The periods are more painful than before too, I wouldn’t say crippling but like early labour pains, lower abdomen and back and all down my legs.

Sorry loooooong post, but I’d just love to know, if you’ve had any of this, exactly what helped you with your symptoms as I have a doctors appt on Monday and don’t want to be fobbed off plus want to know the pros and cons of all. Pill? Coil? Implant? HRT? Hysterectomy?

Thank you 🙏🏻

Have you been checked for endometriosis?
I would be asking for a gynecologist referral.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/premenstrual-syndrome/

That's the guidance your GP should be following to diagnose PMDD v PMS. Have a good read of the diagnostic criteria and the recommended treatments before you go. I'd then use that to steer the conversation.

If you are bleeding from your anus that needs checking ASAP - have you been to the GP?

@Marchforward yes I was tested a few months ago and it was all clear. I’ve now noticed a pattern of it only happening during my period which can be a symptom of endometriosis, hence doctors appt booked for Monday.

@RedCarsGoFaster thank you 🙏🏻

@Springisclose not yet, I’ll discuss with the GP on Monday

Have you spoken to the doctor?
I wonder if a coil would be worth trying. The mirena coil has been much better for my headaches and migraines than the pill was, and I don't get any periods or any of the associated symptoms.

I suffered from 15 to 31 with debilitating period pain which I suspect is from having a tipped womb (might also be worth researching this OP?) the pain would start in my back and radiate down my thighs, I'd be being throwing up and sometimes passing out from the pain. One thing I read on a forum for people suffering with a tipped womb was to drink more water, which I drink a fair bit of anyway, but you have to REALLY drink water. Force down pints of it (not to a dangerous degree obviously, but just make sure you're drinking as often as possible) I tried it dubiously thinking it would make no difference, and I noticed an immediate change, like someone had flipped a switch. Pain was so much better, flow was lighter, and the whole thing was much shorter.

It's annoying as I'm getting also getting up to go pee at work about three times as much as before, but I can't emphasise enough how much difference it's made to my pain.

So, if you haven't tried this, then I'd recommend it. I know it sounds like I'm stating the bleeding obvious, and you may already think you drink plenty of water, but you have to DRINK water. Actively make sure that you are drinking an increased amount before it begins, and even more so during. Continuously have a big bottle with you and drink/refill.

I'm honestly kicking myself that I spent 16 years suffering when I could have just increased my water intake, as I didn't believe it would truly work/that I already drink enough. I've tried to tell this to some other friends that suffer really bad pain that tell me "Oh that won't work/I drink plenty already" but it wasn't until I basically doubled my water intake that I felt a huge difference and massive relief from the pain.

Sometimes it's a sign of low iron too. I have low iron and endometriosis and it is awful. X

@Sweepies why does drinking so much water have a positive effect like this, do you know?

@Sweepies thanks so much and I’m sorry to hear you suffered so much ❤️ I will definitely try that but honestly for me it’s much more the mental side of things I feel I need the most help with as I am an anxious depressed mess for 2 weeks of every month 😞

Thank you @Tepidexplorer - I’ve had so many blood tests over the past 12 months and my iron always comes back normal! Just want to get to the bottom of it all!

I would push for a gynaecologist referral op and then push for a laparoscopy as that’s the only way to properly diagnose endometriosis.

if you’re not fussed about getting the endo diagnosed (there’s not a huge amount they can do apart from laser off the adhesions but they grow back) I would recommend getting a mirena coil fitted. It’s been a game changer for my periods as it gives you a constant hit of progesterone so you stay in an even keel.

I’ve heard lots of bad things about them so was a bit apprehensive but it’s the best thing I ever did. If you don’t get in with it you can just get it removed (my local family planning clinic do it if you can’t get an appt with gp).

Hi OP - I just had a GP appointment yesterday turning which she suggested I have PMDD - it was quite a relief actually because I had thought I had a personality disorder my mood swings were so severe.

She has prescribed me Yasmin which I am to take back to back for 3 packs and then 4 day break and 3 packs back to back again.

I am due back in two months to reassess. The next option would be SSRIs but I really don't want to go down that route.

So I don't have much to offer on positive outcomes as yet but a bit of solidarity as it seems we are at a similar point on the rollercoaster!

I had this and I was estrogen dominant. I have been prescribed progesterone and feel much better. Also, eating well and excercising makes a huge difference to me - sugar/procesed food raises your estrogen and excercise helps get rid of it.

Mirena. I had the worst periods - absolutely debilitating. After I'd had DC I had an endometrial ablation - this meant I would be unable to have more children but that was fine with me. This improved the periods to an extent but I still suffered. Until I had a Mirena fitted. Overnight relief! No pain, no bloating, very light bleeding for a few days only. Utter bliss. And I didn't have any side effects from it at all, though I know from reading here that not everyone gets on with it.

I can't remember exactly what it said as was a few months ago now, but I know it helps relax the muscles where most of my cramps originate from. I think I found the original post about the water miracle cure on a subreddit for tipped wombs. Drinking water so makes the flow much lighter. This site pretty much sums it up;

www.myhormonology.com/prevent-period-pain-with-water/

Even if you fall short of your 8 glasses a day, there is a noticeable difference in pain.

When I force myself to drink so much water I'm sick of the sight of it, I can cope so much better the difference is crazy. It also helps a lot with bloating which is weird as you'd think it would have the opposite effect.

Whenever my time comes now DH is always reminding me to drink water which helps a lot (though he's probably also doing it for his own sanity as I make "constant Marge Simpson noises" when I'm in pain)