Feeling really ill around Period

[BruFord]

I'm nearly 50, still have regular periods, but I’ve started feeling truly horrendous just before and during them. The worst symptom is bad headaches, presumably caused by hormones.

Any recommendations on how to ease these symptoms? I’m taking Paracetamol today, which takes the edge off the headache, but I still feel crappy. I already take a magnesium, vitamin D and zinc supplement.

Also, is this a sign that I’m close to entering full menopause, I.e., my periods might stop soon? I don’t mind if it means that these symptoms will go away!

HRT

I am 45 and this year have been feeling exactly the same as you. It’s awful, I fully sympathise.

I am trying
400 mg Mg
400 mg B2
Feverfew
Evening Primrose Oil

of course loads of water, healthy diet,,..

all to no avail so far. This month has been the worst.

Now considering the pill or Hrt…

Hope you get some relief soon.

@mechanicalpencil It’s horrible, isn’t it. Around my last period was especially horrific, I had to take a sick day as I felt so awful. I’ve got a dr’s appt. in a couple of weeks so I’ll talk to her about it and see what she recommends. I’m on the fence about HRT and hoping that I can find another way to alleviate these headaches. Bloomin’ hormones!

You could try magnesium L-threonate. It’s said to cross the blood brain barrier so the best magnesium for headaches and brain fog. It’s certainly helped my brain fog.

@BruFord I've also been hesitant about HRT and the like so wanted to fully explore all other options first. I have been keeping a daily diary of all my symptoms and a very clear pattern is starting to emerge:
-migraine either the day before or day period starts
-migraine again at the end of period
-migraine just before and around ovulation
-in addition to feeling very rough around ovulation

Each migraine lasts several days so it feels as though I am walking from one migraine to the next at the moment.

The migraines are very and in terms of intensity and duration and are not easily shifted by medication with the exception of Solpadeine .. but don't want to be taking those too often!

Good Luck with the Dr, I hope you are listened to and get some good advice!

@DustyLee123 That's really helpful thanks. I found there to be so much often conflicting advice regarding which Mg to take, I ended up taking Mg Glycolintae but so far haven't noticed any change, other than they seem to be getting worse... 😫

Well, I have some positive news to report. I was due my Pap smear a few weeks ago and mentioned feeling so rough around my period. My doctor suggested trying a Swedish supplement called Seronol. I won’t say that it’s transformed everything, but my last period was easier-no headache and less cramps. So perhaps it’s helping.

Also, my doctor said that here in the US, they don’t generally start HRT until you’re post-menopausal. I don’t know why.

Well I don't think that's true about only starting HRT when post meno in the US...

Have a listen to Mary Claire Haver or Kelly Casperson on podcasts, both US board certified doctors, both espouse HRT in peri meno!

Both women have recently done a podcast with Louise Newson and KC has many episodes of her own brilliant pods.

Also, MCH said that only 4% of US peri/meno women take HRT, in the UK this is 11%.

Pre WHI study, it was 40% in the US!!!

Thanks, @Droolylabradors , I know that I need to do more research into it if I decide that I want to try HRT. I was surprised to be told this by my Ob/Gyn, she’s an excellent doctor and very sympathetic about peri symptoms. I should’ve asked her why, but was taken aback.

Good luck! I think you might be able to choose to take HRT but they might not suggest it!

Listen to today's Louise newson pod, it came out this morning - v relevant for you.