PMDD

[RogueV]

Really struggling with what I’m pretty sure is PMDD since the birth of DD in Jan.

Is there anybody else out there that struggles?

I’ve started taking Angus castus and starflower oil.

Tempted with the contraceptive pill but when I took this in my 20s I was terribly hormonal on it - and it gave me migraines.

Not just the mental side of PMDD but I have terrible terrible skin during the pre-menstrual period.

Anybody?

Yes me too @RogueV. After each of 3 children. I feel at my best mentally/hormonal while pregnant and having no period, then after about 6 months of breast feeding with my cycle trying to return I get awful prolonged PMDD -low, grumpy, irritable, short-tempered, weight gain, acne. Goes on and on until my period finally arrives but then the recurrent 3-4 days every month is far worse than pre children. I am not myself at all. It actually makes me crave being pregnant again just to get out from under the black cloud.

Things that have helped:
Vit B6 in high dose
Low carb/low sugar diet when I can stick to it

But this time, knowing I won’t have any more DC, I’m trying Eloine (OCP). I think Yasmin is also supposed to be good for PMDD.

I too have had this for the last 6 months or so, i am in my early 40s with one 2 year old dc. It starts at around day 18 of my cycle and only tapers off towards the 3-4 day of my period. With me it is mood swings, feeling low, not being able to sleep (which leads to binging on sugary food). It’s really horrendous in that it affects my relationships to the point where I don’t want to engage with anyone and entertain thoughts about leaving my dh.....I think he is feeling the effects of it too.
I saw my gp who prescribed setraline, but I’m too scared to take it. 5htp at night seems to help with sleep issues.
Have been referred for a consultation with dr nick Panay whom is a women’s hormone experts and I understand he is one of the most renowned artists experts in this field.

Yes me too after DD. Dr put me on Sertraline which really helped.
I’m off it now and PMT is much better now I’m not so sleep deprived.

Chilli how long did you take sertraline if you don't mind me asking? Why did you stop it? I thought PMT treatment would need to continue until menopause?

@AgeBeforeBeauty I took it for 6 months until my DD started sleeping through the night. The reason I stopped was because I couldn't cry or have an orgasm on it and I found that I missing a big part of 'being human' so I came off it and was okay for a year then went back on it after this winter because I was really low and anxious. Again, it worked well instantly for PMDD but I hated feeling numb it was quite boring.
I haven't had awful PMT for a few months now and would go back on it again if my PMDD got worse.
I would recommend trying it.

B6 and magnesium, plus sertraline and loestrin 30 (contraceptive pill) taken continuously until my body spontaneously bleeds then I take a 4 day break. Less up and down with the hormones helps dramatically.

Thanks @Chilli, that's good to know.