PMS getting worse

[Longtimereaderfirsttimeposter]

have always like many had some anxiety and over worrying traits which is heightened just before period. However I have realised over the past 6 months or so it’s getting noticeably worse the low moods are getting quite dark and end up in a downward spiral to point where I can convince myself everyone round me would be better off without me in their life, reliving past mistakes and things I have done wrong. I could never act on these thoughts but it scares me how low I am getting. Is this normal before periods I am at the age which could be perimenopausal.

posting here for traffic

What age are you? I’m 43 and my pms is getting worse and worse. And this cycle was only 25 days long so I reckon I had about 8 days of feeing reasonably good in between the last period finishing and my hideous mood descending.

Considering asking the gp about hrt or antidepressants or something but don’t know if they’ll scoff at me.

I am 38, periods are still normal but the moods I am getting before are getting so much worse

For me this happened with perimenopause. I never got any PMS but from 40, if not before, it started and has got worse.

Perimenopause yes

@redgingerbread my periods were pretty regular for ages whilst I definitely had perimenopause symptoms. It doesn't necessarily go in order of changed periods then other symptoms.
When my periods did start changing they became shorter, but still regular, and are now shorter and irregular. I should have been on HRT from 40 but started at 43. It significantly alleviate my symptoms.

Have a look for a women's health specialist GP in your area. There are quite a few near us and the experience of going to see then vs normal GP appointment about any "women's issues" was lightyears apart.

It does sound like it could be the start of peri-menopause but either way, you shouldn't have to feel like that every 4 weeks.

I don't know much about perimenopause but something else to consider might be PMDD if you feel you are a little bit young for perimenopause. It's horrible feeling so low. Sending a big hug xx

Thank you for the replies you have all made me feel more normal and realise this could just be my body changing.
I have tried to explain to my husband that even if on some level I can recognise these feelings are irrational, they are very real and more than once this month I have got in my own head and convinced myself that everyone round me would be better if I just disappeared.

I feel exactly like you OP. The moods get so dark. Some months worse than others. Also noticing it around ovulation sometimes. I’m 40 so thought it was maybe a bit early but maybe not. What gets me is it’s not every month. I can go a cycle barely noticing I’ve had a period and not feeling down. But some months I feel like I should just end it all and be done with it. Sending hugs it sucks. We should probably both seek out a GP knowledgeable on perimenopause.

My GP told me a 3rd of their appointments were mental health related so probably not, antidepressants are given out so easily! I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

I am so so pleased this isn’t only me feeling like this, but sorry you’re going through this too 💐.
I think you’re a knowledgeable GP could help us both. But there’s part of me that doesn’t want to admit it 😔

@Longtimereaderfirsttimeposter same here, but I went and got the Mirena and it has been SO GOOD. Has taken 3 months to settle, but I no longer get MANIC PEAK of energy at ovulation then pretty much off the cliff of despair after that and until day 3 of period when it lifts. It’s just…. kind of gone? I still get a bit emotional right before my period, but crucially, I am no longer crippled by it. Would highly recommend getting the mirena, it should be inserted during your next period so your cervix is already open - I didn’t feel a thing.

If the coil doesn’t hugely improve things you can get a low dose of sertraline or another suitable anti depressant on top, but try the coil first imo.

Definitely get treatment, suffering is pointless.

Hi OP that happened to me when I was 41. Finally realised what it was when I was 44 and went on HRT.

Actually when I was 39 DH sent me to GP as my PMT rage was getting so bad.

So really it took many years for the penny to drop.

I've noticed this getting worse in the last 2 years, I'm 37 now.
I also have an horrendous rage feeling which concerns me as I am not an angry person. I go between rage and depressive moods, anxiety and shorter cycles so only feel 'normal' a few days a month. I think it could be PMDD but getting an appointment is impossible so there's not much point.

I have had trouble with all hormonal contraception, including the coil (weight gain, low mood, no libido) until I tried Slynd. I have noticed a massive improvement in my general mood and no longer have extreme feelings. It's not the cheapest but literally the only one I can use.

Hi, I’m 43 and I started experiencing this a couple of years ago, thanks to peri. My periods were irregular by then, my only other symptoms were PMS (but felt a million times worse than PMS, the rage was unreal), and also a reduced sex drive. I started taking Menopause Complex by Hey Nutrition and it rectified both of those issues. My mood leveled out, my sex drive came back and I haven’t had any other symptoms such as hot flushes. My periods are also back to being semi regular (not exactly clockwork like they used to be but a lot more regular than they were).