Perimenopause PMT

[Jenki1999]

Im 48 and my periods have become every 5 weeks instead of 3-4. This would be ok but Im left with two weeks of horrendous pmt.
I can cope with the physical symptoms, tender boobs, painful joints and bloating etc but my anxiety is literally off the charts.
Ive been inside my house all weekend just gone crying and have anxiety attacks all day. Ive seen no friends which is totally not me. I have zero sex drive pretty much all the time. Im really quick to hate myself for not coping.
In contrast my 51 year old sister has increased sex drive, lighter periods and less pmt. its not fair!
My periods are crazy heavy too.
Has anyone found anything natural that could help with the depression and anxiety in the weeks prior to a bleed?
Ive always had pmt for a few days before I come on which was bearable but Im struggling to cope with the length of this. 😱

Sounds like it’s something hormonal going on for sure

Valerian is good for insomnia but yes I’d push for a hormonal solution if you can.

Do you have to have blood tests before the GP prescribes Qlaira? Would a private GP prescibe Qlaira if GP is reluctant?

I had one blood test which apparently showed I was still making normal levels of hormones, think that’s why she suggested the pill rather than hrt.

Pretty sure you wouldn’t need to have a blood test in order to be prescribed it. I suspect a private gp might prescribe it but I’m not sure, worth asking for others’ experiences before paying.

It might not be the ideal solution so I wouldn’t want to give false hope, but it’s worked well for me

Why wouldn't you try HRT ? It's to replace the hormones your body is no longer producing enough of. I started on it in July and now I'm so full of energy and my PMT has gone for the first time in about 4 years . I'm 48 and still have periods but my estrogen levels were low so they needed topping up with HRT. It took a bit of settling in to get it right but definitely wouldn't actively avoid it . What is it about HRT that concerns you?

I tried hrt but felt exhausted all day long and then couldn't sleep at night so had to stop taking it. It helped with aching joints though.
Does qlaira help with libido? Mine is non existent and I'm still fairly young.

No effect on libido as far as I can tell, am single though so probably not noticing as much.

Really helpful to read these posts. I'm 47 and convinced I was in peri until I saw posts linking all my symptoms including anxiety, panic attacks, thinning hair and despairingly black cloud days to Cerazette mini pill which I've been on for 2 years. I was ready for the Mirena coil and HRT until I came on Mumsnet. I am now in to day 3 of coming off Cerazette (Zelleta) I am yet to see if my old normal (and much nicer self) returns. If not then I shall be heading down the HRT route without fail. Never felt so low in all my life when these black cloud days hit. Good luck to you all x

Me too :( I've always had quite bad PMS but now I'm in peri menopause they last for 2 out of the 4 weeks of my cycle and I could literally fight someone.
I'm having other horrid symptoms which is making me so angry and emotional. I feel your pain OP x

I've had this one and off for a while but only in the last couple of weeks acknowledged its really happening!

@Jenki1999

I'm also trying to tackle it with diet. It's only been a very short while but have cut back on alcohol and incorporating more soy products into my diet as well as making a smoothie each morning with milled flax and chia seeds which are supposed to be beneficial.

It seems to be helping but is very early days.

@Jenki1999

Im 48 and my periods have become every 5 weeks instead of 3-4. This would be ok but Im left with two weeks of horrendous pmt. I can cope with the physical symptoms, tender boobs, painful joints and bloating etc but my anxiety is literally off the charts. Ive been inside my house all weekend just gone crying and have anxiety attacks all day. Ive seen no friends which is totally not me. I have zero sex drive pretty much all the time. Im really quick to hate myself for not coping. In contrast my 51 year old sister has increased sex drive, lighter periods and less pmt. its not fair! My periods are crazy heavy too. Has anyone found anything natural that could help with the depression and anxiety in the weeks prior to a bleed? Ive always had pmt for a few days before I come on which was bearable but Im struggling to cope with the length of this. 😱

Oh wow, I could have written this entire post.

I have just come out the other side after the worst ‘episode’ I have ever had.
I contacted my doctor and they prescribed me Prozac. I know you want something natural but I personally couldn’t continue and nothing ‘natural’ has helped (trying to increase estrogen levels through diet).

Some doctors prescribe it to be taken just in the last week of your cycle before bleeding but mine told me to take it every day.

I’m only in my first week and my general low level anxiety is numbed already. Time will tell if it works when I am in the pits of despair due to PMS.

Just realised this is an old thread but it’s been resurrected just at the right time for me.

I wonder if the OP found a solution?