How do you stop PMT making you a monster mummy for part of the month?

[OrdinarySAHM]

I've had to apologise to my children for it this morning and I feel awful about the way I rant at them and have such a short fuse over small things at this time of month. They can't feel loved at these times because I just want everyone to get away from me and not even talk to me, even DH and the cat.

I've tried different contraceptive pills, exercise, better diet, vitamins, herbal stuff. When will there be a cure for this?!

What strategies do people have for coping without being horrible to everyone when they are like this?

I take evening primrose oil and a little St. John's Wort.

Not sure about the effect though - certainly a little placebo effect if nothing else!

I try and count to 10 and/or tell myself I'll tackle whatever issue it is in 10 minutes. At the time, I'm convinced that after 10 mins I'll still be very cross and be very strict. But funnily enough it doesn't seem so important after the 10 mins.

I think apologising for shouting etc is good. I'm sure they do still feel loved.

I personally avoid hormonal contraception like the plague as I think it makes issues of depression etc (for me anyway) 100 times worse.

I got pregnant again. Nine months off, innit?

I know exactly what you mean. I am in that very spiral this week. I just try & find the patience or the mental space to take a deep breath when I can. I try & recognise my triggers & am a bit more relaxed about the usual do's & don't's with my 2 DSs. Sometimes it works & sometimes it doesn't. Apologising is good but remember it is ok for kids to see their mum angry. Finally remember being a patient, considerate, selfless, available mother is hard enough at the best of times but if like me you cry when the cat refuses to eat when your period's due, it's even harder.

have you tried Yasmin (contraceptive combined pill specifically prescribed for PMT)? It has had a very good effect on me. it gets a mixed press as most pills do but I was a raging beast with terrible PMT lasting half my cycle - basically once I'd ovulated I became awful. Now I get a few days of feeling a bit irritable and counting to ten works to an extent.

I cured (well almost!) mine by accident. I'm a tad, how shall I put it, hmm on the vain side and 6 months ago starting taking boots skin hair and nail vitamins. I don't look any different but the side effect has been a cure for my terrible monthly moods. I used to clash terribly with my dd and just feel so sad and moody. They are cheap, so worth a try maybe? Good luck x

I take a small dose of Prozac (20mg) and am so much better than I was.

Was going to say mild anti depressants work wonders for that time of the month if it is a real problem. Vit B complex can help too.