PMDD - what has helped?

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Ever since I can remember, I've suffered with PMS that was diagnosed as PMDD.

I feel like I'm a slave to my hormones. I'm not in charge - my whole personality and outlook changes depending on where I am in my cycle.

Some months are better than others.

I don't drink alcohol or caffeine, I'm a healthy weight, I run, hike, get outside every day, have very little stress in my life really, my BMI is 22, I take multi vitamins.

Basically everything I can do naturally. Yet still, every month, I want to die. And have horrendous perceived rejection, I withdraw from the world, my anxiety goes through the roof.

It's not getting better, I'm 40 soon.

Please, does anyone have any advice?

Mirena coil. Changed my life from a PMDD perspective and no longer having periods. Mine were heavy too. I was SO sceptical but I have 0 regrets. I'm 36, BMI around 22 too

Hysterectomy and oophorectomy for me. Now on just of estrogen patches. No progesterone is amazing!

Magnesium. About a week before I'm due on I start supplementing

use a decent one. I use solgar

it was life changing

ETA - the timing of supplementing might vary by person, but from what I understand it takes a couple of days to "kick in" so take that into consideration. Mark it in your calendar each month when to start supplementing

Angus castus for the brief periods I wasn't on either the pill or HRT.

I too was a ‘slave to my hormones’, those were the actual words I used too. I’m late 50’s and menopausal now. I started taking Citalopram, an antidepressant, when I entered peri. I wish I’d taken it years before, it takes the edge off all my crazy feelings and anxiety. I’ve no idea if it would of helped but I feel it probably would have.

I tried many contraceptive pills and they all made my symptoms, especially depression, deeper. I dared not have a coil fitted for fear of being trapped in hell.

I found that I was in a 3 month cycle, with every 3rd month being the absolute worst.

Nothing helped. I started tracking my daily moods over 30 years ago and discovered it was my cycle, PMDD wasn’t a thing then. Sounds like you already track and know your cycle.

Pyridoxine. Absolute game changer.

Acupuncture really helped and then when I was older HRT.
Try everything. Its shit.

The treatment options are a mix of antidepressants, something like the mirena coil or depro infections (to stop periods or reduce bleeding).

Evening primrose oil with starflower. The seven seas one in the orange box. I've been taking it for 11 years, and I cannot put into words how much better I feel on it. I tried to come off it twice but couldn't. It takes a while to notice a change but definitely worth a try.

I started taking a supplement called Ditto which helps with PMDD and endometriosis symptoms - might be worth looking into. I’ve found it really helps my mood.

Vit b
The pill