I'm struggling massively with my cycle and the hormonal changes every month and I don't think it's normal. I'm wondering if anyone could shed some light on whether something else is going on? My GP has been very dismissive and so was the practice nurse. I'm 36 and have 2 DC.
This all started after my 2nd DC and he's almost 3. My periods are very heavy, they last for 5 days and day 2&3 are awful, I struggle to go to work and I flood all the time. I have to set alarms in the night too. I'm in constant agony the whole time too and I also have headaches.
Once it's over I'm ok for about 10 ish days, and then the pain starts all over again, my skin is terrible and my hair is greasy. I also bloat and have cravings. I assume this is ovulation, it subsides for a few days and then the PMT starts - highly emotional, chronic back ache and joint ache. The bottoms of my feet are agony and my hips hurt too. I also have terrible spots on my face and back, I sweat a lot too.
My cycle is regular and I can say what is going to happen and when, my period starts within a 3 day window. But I feel I'm at the mercy of my hormones. I bloat, I crave unhealthy food and I'm overweight. Life is really quite miserable. I've tried to diet but the cravings and mood swings just ruin everything. Exercising makes my joints hurt more, my back and hips especially.
I'm not on any hormonal contraception out of fear that I'll make things a lot worse, but I can't carry on like this. I've had blood tests which show nothing and the GP isn't concerned at all by the issues with my joints, probably because I'm overweight. But I'm in constant pain.
Does this sound like bad PMT? Or something else? And what can I do?