I think my menstrual cycle is the reason for all of my problems, literally.

[TeenyWeenyPolkaDotPeeny]

I know it sounds dramatic, but I’m serious 😂
I’ve been in and out of therapy for years, since my kids were born.

We’ve whittled down to suspected PMDD, possibly even endo (but I’m not 100% sure) GP suggested talking therapies, which I’m doing.. but didn’t give any formal diagnosis of anything (hence suspected)

I track my periods the best I can using an app, they can range between 32-56 days apart so I’m pretty irregular, for the most part it’s usually day 38. The consistent thing I’d noticed myself was once I was less than 10 days from being due on, I get very depressed, extremely anxious, panic attacks all day every day. I can’t function, it affects work and it definitely affects my marriage.

My suspicion was high teens after DH started predicting my periods, then told me he knows exactly when I’m due on because I become an entirely different person. And I do, I know that and feel it myself.

My symptoms throughout my cycle-
7-10 days before period:

• Irritable beyond comprehension with everyone, my family take the brunt of it.
• Anxiety spikes dramatically
• random panic attacks throughout the day, almost every day.
• very depressed, feeling low, tired, generally unwell.
• bloating, gas pain.
• terrible headaches

during my period:

• heavy, dark red/burgundy bleeding,
• horrendous cramps,
• pain when going to the toilet
• Extreme fatigue

After period (usually 1-2 days before bleeding completely stops) I feel like a switch has been flicked off, and very worry, anxiety, ache, pain, tiredness.. everything gone and I literally feel like someone’s just ripped everything bad out of me in one big swoop, I can also physically feel the exact moment that it switches off.

then back to square one after a few weeks of peace.

does anyone else have similar symptoms? The GP doesn’t really seem that bothered and I just get sent away with a ‘come back if symptoms don’t go away.. but they do? But then they come back, so I’m told again to go away 🥲 I feel like I can’t get my point across or maybe like it’s normal but I don’t see how I can live like this forever?

Oops, I posted in AIBU, I thought I was on chat! My bad 🤣 please don’t call me unreasonable 😂😂

Your GP has only given you talking therapies for suspected PMDD?

Go back, ask to discuss medication options either the combined pill (but the specific one that has evidence for PMDD, not the standard one they give everyone first), or an SSRI. An SSRI can be taken just for half your cycle if it’s for PMDD, but with irregular periods that might be harder for you to manage and know when to start.

Have you tried any contraception? The progesterone only pill has stopped my periods completely

So roughly speaking it sounds like your symptoms are bad around ovulation? My mood, anxiety etc was awful around ovulation, worse than during my period. Like you a felt it ruled my life and because my cycles were short I had only about 50% of the month where I either wasn’t a mess or bleeding.

I went on the progesterone only pill and it’s literally changed my life. This was after not getting on with hormonal contraception previously

Sounds bad OP - have you ever investigated cycle syncing or read Alissa Vitti's books?

Have a read of this document. It's long. Make a cuppa and grab some biscuits first!

This details what the the GP should be doing to help you. The flow chart on page 11 is really helpful.

https://www.pms.org.uk/app/uploads/2018/06/guidelinesfinal60210.pdf

I've been there. It's really hard to get help with PMDD. You just get fobbed off with being told it's women's stuff and to deal with it. You don't have to live the way you do though and there options available to help you. Keep fighting and get the help you need.

Best of luck xx

Mini pill life changing

I have suspect pmdd and only got attention and help from gp as I started early perimenopause and symptoms got so drastic I couldn’t drive or even at a point, leave the house for two weeks out of the month. Other two weeks I was fine.
I am on the contraceptive pill until I reach the stage of needing hrt and honestly it’s not a miracle worker but it’s so much better.

Looking back, I can see I was at my happiest when on some kind of hormonal contraceptive.

I see the progesterone only pill is mentioned. My GP gave me that first and it was absolutely the wrong decision. A diffeeent gp said progesterone is often the issue and giving more will worsen symptoms. It’s trial and error though.

For me my symptoms on the progesterone only were all the anxiety and dread and anger and fear I normally have but ramped up. I was paranoid. I was up all night. It was hell. So I would say be cautious about the progesterone only pill for pmdd

Have you been investigated like properly with scan, blood tests and pelvic exam by gynecologist?

Yes, often for PMDD, progesterone is the issue and so the mini pill can cause problems. It did for me, I was suicidal on it. But as you say, trial and error because it’s different for every woman.

I used to have exactly the same but menopause has made it much better. I was estrogen dominant and took bio identical progesterone which really helped. Diet also really helped - protein, veggies, less sugar, gluten, UPF's etc and exercise.
I had to see a private hormone Dr to get help.
There is also a link between ADHD and PMDD if that resonates with you at all.

I'd say avoid progesterone like the plague.

I was like you every month until menopause when I got a Mirena fitted and added oestrogen and my life changed for the better.

Some doctors will prescribe oestrogen instead of SSRIs for PMDD.

If you can afford it, see a gynae with an interest in hormones.

Also have a flick through Dr. Kelly Casperson s back catalogue of podcasts, she advocates in this area.

The fact that the symptoms are worse during your luteal phase would suggest progesterone is the problem. The mini pill might make it worse.