My period turns me into a nasty person

[Candygrapes]

DH had some bad news yesterday and instead of being the person that I usually am I completed switched and said some very nasty things.

I have apologised now but it’s every single month I’m absolutely sick of it. I feel like I’m always dreading my period as I know I’m going to change and I try to control it but it always seems to seep through.

I appreciate it’s only for a few days but then it’s the build up to my period where I’m anxious and then i turn nasty I dread it every single month.

Anyone else have an experience like this?

No, but have you considered taking the progesterone only pill? I do, and I no longer get periods. It does affect sex drive etc in some women though. Maybe you should ask your GP for your options?

Yep I can relate. But it’s only in the last few years I’ve been like this. I’m 44 and never was like this in my 20s and 30s.

No excuse for being abusive

I get this just before my period. Rage like I never usually feel. I know it's happening but I can't stop it. Just wanted you to know you're not the only one😏

I have PMDD, I actively despise my partner for a week every month.

Speak to your GP there are options to try, every women will respond differently but there might be something that helps you.

You haven't mentioned what you've done about it?

What has the GP said?

Same for me... and I'm 40 now 🙈

Yes, that's why I got a coil and it sorted me right out.

Go and see your doctor. It's not normal and there's medication available.

Yes I am like this! Both me and my DH have got really good at recognising when it’s happening though and he just lets it wash over him, I apologise as soon as I realise I’m doing it, then I put a sad face on the calendar and you can bet a week later Aunt Flo arrives!

A bit OTT don’t you think?

I experience similar and started taking the pre menstrual complex from Wild Nutrition. I had very little hope it would make a difference, but it has helped massively. My period now sneaks up on me, previously I would have been ratty in the 4/5 days before and my irritability during my period has reduced massively. If you can afford it, I'd recommend giving it a go. You've got nothing to lose.

Yep! Lost 2 weeks every month - 1 feeling absolutely shocking and giving up on everything and 1 recovering my life. Then 2 normal week. Then repeat.

A tiny dose of Sertraline 2 weeks on 2 weeks off was life changing! I saw effects immediately too. For anxiety/depression SSRIs can take weeks/months to kick in but for some reason for PMDD it works really quickly. My GP just happened to have a special interest in it, luckily for me!

I no longer take Sertraline as seem to have grown out of it (had a baby which can do weird things can’t it!) but I do still get very sad and hungry and anxious and my autoimmune symptoms flare up but no where near as bad as the fury I was feeling in previous years.

Please expand?

I think PMT is pretty normal and doesn’t require medication

The OP becomes abusive every month and you think that advice is OTT?

Really?

I'll hazard a guess you would, if you were on the receiving end of nasty behaviour every month.

Ok I didn’t get the impression the OP was being abusive from her OP, but I’m not there so can’t be sure I guess.

I have PMDD, as soon as I’ve ovulated I have a very abrupt onset of low mood, paranoia, huge anxiety, constant rollercoaster of thoughts and spiralling. I also struggle to view my DP positively during this time, even though he’s wonderful and just a busy man trying to do his best for everyone. I find everything during this window feels like a huge imposition or demand of me, even a text from a friend asking to meet for a coffee is just too much for me to manage.

It lasts for around two weeks, my whole luteal phase, and then stops almost as soon as my period starts. I lose two weeks of progress on my life and my goals during this window, I struggle to concentrate or remain professional at work because I just can’t be arsed/don’t care.

I can’t take the contraceptive pill to help as we are TTC, so my GP has prescribed Prozac.

Are u on microgynon?

Her husband got bad news and the OP said nasty things. Saying nasty things to someone is verbal abuse surely?

DH had some bad news yesterday and instead of being the person that I usually am I completed switched and said some very nasty things.

And...

I appreciate it’s only for a few days but then it’s the build up to my period where I’m anxious and then i turn nasty

The two weeks of lost progress and then two weeks of trying to recover the damage is such a hallmark thing for me when it comes to my PMDD. I’m strangely glad to know I’m not alone, but wish it wasn’t a thing for us!

A woman I lived with was like this. It was virtually unbearable every month. Waiting for the verbally abusive behaviour to start. It was like clockwork.

I am now 50 and do feel more quick tempered and prone to unreasonable outbursts every month. But I 9/10 prevent it or leave the room as I know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of such horrible behaviour.
See a doctor. It’s unfair and yes, abusive.

I noticed this with mine too - but when I discussed with my GP we realised I’d basically been on hormonal contraception from being 17 until the last two years when I wanted to conceive, so my cycle and thus the hormonal changes were suppressed. Any small breaks in contraception during those years were never really long enough to notice a cyclical pattern to the mood disturbance.