Low mood 2 weeks before period. Any advice?

[Cakecakeyum]

Not sure if the menopause forum is the right place - but I’m 42 so suspect peri, although my periods are often regular with the odd one that isn’t.

Straight after ovulation, my mood plummets. I feel sad, anxious, down, sometimes a bit helpless.

But the two weeks from period to ovulation I feel great! Happy, enthusiastic, balanced.

It’s no way to live! Happy half the time, miserable the other half.

I don’t want to take ADs and I know it’s a hormone thing.

But what else could I do? Anyone go through the same? Diet changes? Lifestyle changes?

I’m considering spending money on seeing a private hormone doctor. I don’t know if that’s a waste or not?

Any advice would be great!

Hi @Cakecakeyum I don't have any medical answers of course but I feel like this sometimes...
I take iron tablets with vitamin c for better absorption...
I felt like my mood gets worse the week before my period ...I get anxious and super teary at the tinniest thing.
I'm 44 and TTC bub number 2...so this is probably playing a major factor!!!
Just need to get over myself really 😊

But I found that if I don't take iron supplements I can get very emotional in the next cycle...

Exercise and knowing the week you are going to be off really helps too.
After AF I'm like super happy and could start a major project and take on the world!!!
Hormones!!

Very interesting about iron! I take it sometimes but not very consistently. I will make sure I do!

being super happy and energised after my period is exactly how I get! But the week or two before, I am so down and feel quite hopeless about things. I would love to level out - but the happy one!

I’d consider a mirena coil, it drastically reduced my PMT rages. And it’s the progesterone part of HRT if you go down that route.

HRT obviously

I know of HRT, but assumed it wasn’t for peri - but honestly what do I know! Do you recommend a hormone doctor? They’re pricey but I will spend to fix this! Or should I just talk to my gp? The last time I did, she suggested ADs but they instinctively don’t feel like the right approach…

The coil is another interesting idea! Although I don’t know if I’m ready to rule out no more babies… I’m 42 so I know my chances are low, but I’d secretly love a surprise…

HRT is precisely for perimenopausal symptoms, and arguably has more positive effects if taken early/before menopause (eg protection against osteoporosis). You can either speak to your GP about your symptoms or go private - bupa does a £250 perimenopause service I can recommend.

If you want to get pregnant I don't think HRT is advised though.

Don't let your GP (or anyone!) fob you off with anti ds. They tried that with me at age 40. Took 2 years to get the courage (via Bupa) to ask for the HRT I know I needed all along.

Thank you for this! I am tempted to pay for a hormone doctor.

I know it must be hormones because of the stark difference between leading up to ovulation and after. I have always been low and sad before my period, but it’s a much longer period of time now than ever before!

I also wonder about any other lifestyle changes? I get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, eat pretty well. My only exercise at the moment is walking, but I hit 10,000 a day every day. What else should I be doing? More varied exercise? Adjust food a bit? I’ll do anything!

Read up on PMDD. HRT has saved my life, - I'm not peri/menopausal.

Hi there, this has been my main symptom of the perimenopause. Along with sore breasts, dry scalp (!) and lighter periods but the anxiety/rage is nearly ending my relationship. It’s bad PMT but like you, starts a good 10-14 days before my regular period.
Spoke with my GP and she arranged a blood test to rule out thyroid issues and then prescribed HRT. I start patches when my period is due next week. I am 44.

Speak to a female GP would be my advice.

good luck x

Following this with interest. I’m 30 so don’t think I can be perimenopausal but since having two children I’m feeling exactly as you describe OP. Do some of you mean you’ve been prescribed HRT for PMDD symptoms? I’m about to contact GP for some help as my mood in the week before period arrives is really affecting my parenting, work, general happiness.

Google PMDD

Yep - i went private, but now get my prescription through the NHS. Best £500 I have ever ever spent. I'm 34. I struggled with PMS my whole life but post children it got really really bad. My mum with hindsight has it too. www.studd.co.uk/pms-effective-treatment.php

Gosh PMDD is really resounding with me after a google…

Op I went through this and was diagnosed with PMDD. Keep a diary of your symptoms.

iapmd.org/

Did you end up getting any treatment to make it better?

This is me. Sat here after two great weeks of flying at work, feeling like I can rule the world, and now I just want to stare at the wall or set the world on fire. I don't want to talk to anyone, I can't concentrate, I feel like a zombie or that my head is made of cotton wool. I can't arrange my face right on work calls, can't construct sentences properly.

I can pinpoint the day I know my hormone levels change. I'm 44 and it has gotten worse over the last year or so.

And I have always had sore breasts a day or two before, but it starts at ovulation now, and they are far more painful.

I am reviving this old thread as I'm experiencing the same thing. My cycle is now 21-22 days, the periods are still regular, but I'm 47 and have horrible PMS with insomnia (every month), headaches and hot flashes (some months).
Lately my mood has also been horrible for up to 10 days before my period, which, with a short cycle, means almost half the time.

I catastrophize (it's my tendency in general, but this has really ramped up) and nag my teen daughter, yesterday I really snarled at my husband with very little provocation. I feel like I no longer have a filter and I may be doing damage to myself and my family... to relationships with my husband and daughter, and to the family mood in general. There is sometimes an overwhelming sadness and worry - and I do have life stressors, of course - but once my period comes I realize it was really exacerbated by the hormones.

I will be seeing my gynecologist in August so will broach this topic. I have been taking agnus castus for years now, have calcium/vit D tablets daily. I think it might be time to think about some sort of HRT.

I’m in the same boat. I can totally relate (altho no hot flushes) and I’ve just been prescribed estradiol patches privately for 2nd half of my cycle till period starts.

i just started my first cycle and all fine until the final day before period where I felt terribly anxious/depressed. So I’m not sure it’s a solution, altho will trial several more cycles. Would be interested if anyone else has tried this or has any better solutions.

(Tried progesterone only pill for 3 months and that just made me depressed all the time with no period/pre ovulation ‘happy’ break)

This sounds like me- really sore boobs, itchy and dry skin, mood just tanks after ovulation. Periods can be lighter or normal but a shorter duration. I'm 41 x