How do I get my hormones back to normal, or will I always be CRAZY?

[Pip]

Since having my two boys, my hormones have been all over the place. My periods are heavier. At certain times in my cycle I get cramping pains and headaches which I never got before. Worst of all, I get PMT and am, ahem, moody/irritable/miserable. Take your pick. Before children I used to feel sexy when I was ovulating. Now I just feel cross!

I'm still losing lots of hair every time I wash it. DS2 is 19mths and I stopped b/f in May. How long does it take for hormones to settle down after b/f? I thought things might have improved after 6 months.

What can I take to balance my hormones out? I seem to remember people talking about starflower oil, evening primrose oil & B vitamins. Does anyone have any advice please? I'm sure everyone in my household will thank you for it!

My baby is nearly 10 months old and I feel that my hormones are all over the place too! I get pmt which I never did before having my baby too. I've recently started taking evening primrose oil caps, and a 'hormonal balance' vitamin capsule which has magnesium,Zinc and vit b6 in it, its by seven seas, it's worth a try! I've heard that Agnus Castus tablets are supposedly good for balancing hormones too, you can get them from health food shops, I'm thinking of trying these next. hth. Good luck!

Thanks luvlymum, that was really helpful. I wonder how common hormonal imbalance is?

I'm going to go out and see what I can get hold of here (I live in Spain). Let me know how you get on, although I guess it will take a good couple of months for the tablets to take effect.

Anything that will stop me turning into a moody teenager has got to be worth a go!

Has anyone else had a problem with high hormone levels?

I'm only just realising that this is what is probably going on with me - spend most weekends either in tears or irritable and angry. Ds is nearly 13 months and am still b/f. Feel it must be hormonal as it's not connected to anything that is actually going on. Bah. Is this normal then?

Yes - me too. The bad news is that the DSs are 6 and 3 ! (sorry!)

I've also bought Agnus Castus after a particularly blazing row with DG which threatened to split us up, and I later realised was down to my PMT. Feel like a woman possessed at Day 19 of my cycle

legacy, that's just depressing! I thought it might pass after a certain amount of time. Three years on and still acting like a madwoman, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has the Agnus Castus worked or have you not been taking it for long enough yet?

I have a DD and developed raging psycopathic PMT when she was 2.5!! Took me a while to cotton on what it was as we were moving house and stress levels were high anyway. Eventually had my Mirena coil removed and started taking high dose Starflower Oil and Magnesium 30 (a 'womans' supplement) and 3 months down the line feel almost back to normal. Still much more emotional than I was pre-children, but no longer feel unhinged. Zinc, magnesium, the B vitamins & starflower oil are all helpful. DH is very relieved! He no loger feels nervous when I pick up a knife in the kitchen!

longer!

Glad you're feeling saner now bootsmonkey. At least there's a solution I suppose.

I thought having children was meant to sort out any hormonal problems. I always heard that women with very heavy periods would be better off after having children. What happened to us then?

AAAAHHHH Pip me too!!! DD 4.5, DTs 16 months. I spent a long time thinking I had PND and actually I'm just the same as you. I'm taking evening primrose (1000mg to be effective), Solgar multivitamins (to provide huge doses of Vit B6) and I'm seeing a herbalist who has prescribed a mixture containing amongst others agnus castus. I'm still waiting on the balance coming .....

I'm still fluctuating with weight (went very very thin and now going up even though diet/excersise/stress remain the same, periods are heavy (soaked the bed last time) with, like you chronic headaches (last for days and previously suffered NONE) and lower backache. Sometimes look like death (white face, dark circles) and other times have glowing skin and could shag a lampost I get so horny, .

Its hell and I would love someone to say there is an answer!!!! I was thinking of starting a thread like this so if you keep me posted I'll keep you posted.......good luck babe.

BTW after dd I went back on the pill around 6 months. The pill has been the only thing (Dianette) to really balance my hormones but I don't really want to have to take it forever. Worth considering if you haven't already....

LOL frumpygrumpy at the image of you shagging a lampost.

How long have you been taking the Evening Primrose & Solgar? I'd forgotten about the lower backache, I get that too, and around the hips, especially whilst lying in bed. Never had it before DS2.

I haven't taken the pill for about 11 years. I used to take it but had problems with weight gain and terrible headaches, it just didn't suit me. Some people are fine with it though aren't they? I think I'm just sensitive to hormonal changes. I'll try with the vitamins and see how they work.

I find it so irritating to go through pregnancy & childbirth and then be left with all this . My body is a mess. No boobs after b/f, wrinkly skin, crazy hormones. Sorry, this is getting depressing, I'll stop here!

You see, it's those pesky hormones at work again

Let's all report back to see if things have improved.