Anxiety before/ during period

[Orchidflower1]

I suffer from GAD which is generally well controlled with medication and cbt/ self help. However just before and at the beginning of my period I feel the anxiety hit me really hard.

I thought I was imagining it first ( or letting my anxious brain run away!) but I track my periods using an app so I looked and I have recorded anxiety as a symptom at that time regularly.

What I’m asking really is has anyone else experienced this and what did you go to soothe it? I’m early 40s so wondering if it could be peri menopause ?

Thanks for reading.

Cant offer any help, but this is happening to me too. Diagnosed GAD years ago but have been tracking periods and symptoms due to severe anxiety, low mood and migraines. My DH has been telling me for years that I totally change the week before my period, now I see it for myself. I've shown it to my GP who was totally dismissive as ive declined hormonal contraception previously due to migraines and just being "done" with hormones.
I'm 40 and wondering if this is the start of peri menopause but GP refused to test as she said it's very difficult to get the tests right and while my periods are still regular there was no need.
I felt so deflated after this that its knocked me sideways a bit. Currently planning to track for another few months then pluck up the courage to go back.

Yes, same here. Mid 40s, perimenomause too.

Same here, early forties!

I am 32. Am currently treated for anxiety. Before and during my period my anxiety is always off the scale. I hate it makes me feel so out of control for a week or so every month.

Sorry cant offer any advice but im struggling with the same issue, im 43, never had an issue with anxiety but its getting worse every month, last month having 2 panic attacks....
Can i ask what the app is called please?

No advice but another sufferer here.
I’m peri menopausal and the week before my period is hell.
No idea what to do about it.

I'm exactly the same. I'm 45 and am literally losing my mind the 2 weeks before my period. I have GAD too :( I'm on anti depressants but have also been put on the pill to try and help. My GP thinks I might have PMDD (severe form of pmt) which is exacerbated by the peri menopause and fluctuating oestrogen levels.

GAD here too. Mirena Coil. It's coming to the end of its lifespan, periods are returning, albeit very light, anxiety during pmt week. Hormone link to GAD?

Hrt made a huge difference to me with exactly your symptoms at your age - worth a try?

Sorry, no advice but I'm following this with interest. I'm 36 and one or two weeks before my period my anxiety spirals out of control. I haven't seen a GP yet as I'm worried they will just dismiss it.
I started running again regularly and I'm taking vitamins so hoping this might help.
So I'm interested in this topic as it affects me a lot at the moment.

I'm late 40s, possibly perimenopausal. I had post natal anxiety and although I got over that ages ago, I've had some anxiety pre-period ever since. Healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and coffee all help a lot, plus exercise.

Tulipa - interesting as my gp won't give me hrt as still having regular periods and no hot flushes!

Is it worth visiting a dietician to see if you are missing any minerals or vitamins from your diet that might help during different parts of the month?

My periods were fine too. Your GP seems to think it is perimenopause so how come no hrt trial?

Tulipan, I think so many GP's are still in the dark with this. Are you on the gel?

I have evorel sequi patches. Honestly transformational

Oestrogen rises causing flurry of activity followed by sudden drop (which makes me feel like hibernating for a few days). I have found seed cycling helps (google it) and The Cycle Diet.

Same for me. Awful anxiety just before and for the first few days. I’m 45 and I’ve always been a worrier but this level of panic is completely different to anything I’ve suffered before. Started feeling like this around 12 months ago.

Ahh thank you all for replying. I had no replies for ages and then a flurry from last night. Thank you each and everyone of you.

@sarahjaneg I use the app Flo - it’s free and does the job for me.

I already take a multivitamin ( just general supermarket one) but I’m wondering if I need something more specific.

@Orchidflower1 thankyou...
Dreading next month already..

Me too @sarajaneg it’s actually got to the point where I can’t cope with doing things leading up to a period. Even just shopping stresses me out. I’m also getting hot flushes on my period but not at any other time 🤪

Same here, I cant function just before my period right through to a couple of days after the bleeding stops. Literally cannot function! Too scared to drive, too scared to go out on my own, too scared to stay in, panic attacks, sheer terror over the silliest things. It's like my whole personality is removed and replaced with this anxious, panicky, irrational being. My GP is so unconvinced that my hormones are to blame that I will track it all for a month or two and go back. May ask for a 2and opinion as I'm convinced its cyclical.

That’s me too @EddieVeddersfoxymop. Now today -2days after period has finished this cloud of anxiety lifts. I don’t exactly feel ready to take on the world but I feel so much better.
My periods are lasting 10 days now so if you include feeling rough before it starts it’s nearly half the month. I find myself wishing for the menopause!