Is this PMDD??

[LuckyStar511]

In the past 5 years I’ve had 2 children. I breastfed them both. I finished breastfeeding 1.5 years ago. Just adding this in in case the back story helps. I suffered with postnatal depression after both of my children.
My cycle is fairly regular and my Flo app is normally spot on with period prediction. I don’t know when I ovulate but my symptoms seem to align with then Flo says I’ll ovulate.
I feel like I only get one week-10 good days a month. My mood drops dramatically before I even ovulate. I’m snappy and low and lose interest in everything. I’m fairly good at masking this at work (teacher 2 days a week) but then even worse at home on a work day.
I get anxious. I feel like I’m constantly stressed and running at full capacity. Some days I don’t want to get out of bed and I wouldn’t if I didn’t have to for my children.

I’m not on any hormonal contraceptive. I’m nervous about the negative side effects of these. Trapped between a rock and a hard place!

What can I do?

Hi OP 👋 My friend is similar to you and has quite bad PMDD.

She is now on HRT to help, but is mid 40s and so I think the HRT is helping with perimenopause symptoms too. She says it doesn't take away all the symptoms but does help.

I understand your reluctance to use hormones, as I feel quite worried about the side effects too (I am very sensitive now to medication side effects after I was permanently injured by off label psychotropic drugs that gave me a neurological involuntary movement disorder).

However, I think.with regards to hormones affecting quality of life, sometimes it's just a good thing to improve the symptoms with a bit of extra help. (Great coming from me, I know!)

Maybe try to get something alternative for the symptoms (natural remedies) first, then consider the hormonal treatments after if they don’t work.

@NooNooHead thanks so much for your reply!
Sorry that your friend is experiencing this too. I’m 31 so, I'm assuming, not near perimenopause yet.

I’ve heard magnesium supplements can help so I’ll look into that. I suppose if I do try the pill and don’t like it, I can always stop.

It sounds very similar to what I experience. I did try going on the pill and it made me feel a bit more "even" in terms of my mood but it had other effects that I didn't feel were worth the trade-off. As you say, though, it's not as if you have to commit to being on it long-term if it doesn't suit you. I would give it a try and you can always stop if needs be.

@ArwenUndomniel thanks for replying.
I took the pill when I was a teenager and when I stopped taking it ten years later, my husband noted how noticeably ‘lighter’ I seemed. But since having children my hormones seem to be all over the place. My concerns around the pill are lower libido (already low though because of the low mood) and gaining weight. I’ll speak to my GP and see what they say. Thank you for sharing!