Does PMT get worse in the run up to menopause?

[Shakey1500]

I'm 42, regular periods. Never suffered with PMT before, well no worse than a day of grumpiness, sore breasts etc. But THIS month?! Ye Gads, I have been AWFUL. And I mean nigh on a whole week of feeling extremely teary, cotton wool head, drained out of sorts emotionally. Yesterday I came on and my mood lifted slightly but physically dreadful. Heavy bleeding, dizzy spells and a constant headache. I think (with no medical backing whatsoever!) that if feels like my blood pressure has plummeted you know? And I can ill afford that as typically I'm a 80/90 over something type.

Any advice/thoughts? I really don't want to feel like this next month :(

I've heard that PMT symptoms generally get worse from 35+ up until the menopause. But if you've only had one bad month I wouldn't panic. If your blob has been heavy do you think you could be a bit anaemic? That can cause dizzy spells, headaches and general knackered-ness. Maybe try a iron supplement and see if next month is any better?

I have experienced much worse PMT in the last few years, almost debilitating at times. I tend to feel as you have described and I have tried lots of supplements but nothing makes a major difference, evening primrose might help a little.

I did speak with my GP but she was very unsympathic and said there was nothing that could be done. I do find if I'm stressed or tired it is worse so sleep and some relaxation (yoga) seems to be helpful.

My PMT has always been bad, but over the last 5+ or so years it became horrendous. I think I started with menopause symptoms around your age.

It sounds like you could be anaemic - I am/was due to my periods being hugely heavy.

You should get to the GP and get your bloods checked - my GP was great and I am now on HRT as well as iron which has revolutionised my life - much less PMT, periods about 10% of what they were, etc.

BigTilly, sorry to be nosy, how old were you when you went onto HRT?

I'm also 42 and my pmt has also got much worse recently. Periods are still regular. But some months I'm bedridden with exhaustion due to pmt, moody, tearful etc.

I am actually looking forward to the menopause just so I don't have periods anymore.

I find that any major stress/emotional upset in the weeks before my period is due make my pmt that month much much worse. If I've had a relatively calm month, my pmt is much less severe.

About a year and a bit ago, so 46 I think. I couldn't cope with all the above AND DD's teenage hormones, so I went for the HRT and am soooo glad I did!

Thanks Tilly, think I'll be following in your footsteps, DD will be a teenager in 4 years time, at which point I'll be 46. Am sure I'll be hitting the HRT pretty quickly!

ladies, try high dose Vit D3, plus a good magnesium tablet.. its not a cure but it really can help.

i really suffer and its got alot worse since i had my mirena taken out 2 years ago but i have found that taking supplements everyday does make it a bit better

I did try the supplements, even the menolieve one that is much lauded on here, but they didn't do much for me and definitely did nothing for the flooding /irrecular periods - hence why I capitulated to the HRT. Luckily there's no history of heart / blood probs, etc for me.

Thanks for the replies, sorry for delay in responding. I'm literally just getting over this months. I will go and see the doc and get bloods done. My mum went through the menopause at 42 also so I'm thinking this is the start for me, hope it's quick!