Struggling with my emotions before/during period

[hazeydays14]

I was previously on the injection for over 4 years, the pill before that. About 18 months ago I stopped taking hormonal birth control. I know an adjustment period is expected after spending 10 years on birth control with few breaks but I’m really struggling the week or so before and the first 1/2 days of my period. I get so down I feel like crying constantly but I also have a super short fuse so I can get angry really quickly (usually pretty chilled). I fantasise about death sometimes (but not killing myself) which is one of the things that scares me. I’m just wondering if this will ever end.

Generally the rest of the month I am well which makes me reluctant to approach the GP because I don’t want to be put on anti depressants for the sake of 7ish days a month. They have already tried to give me anti anxiety medication for headaches that they say are ‘stress related’ despite the fact I don’t feel particularly stressed.

Sorry about my late night ramblings. Just wondering whether anyone else has been through something similar.

My Doctor told me to take Vitamin B6. Magnesium will also help.

Thank you, I will try that.

This is my experience of not being on any birth control. Is there a reason you have had to stop?

I got on with the injection brilliantly until they changed it for ‘DIY’ at home ones then I was having reactions at the injection site. I was on the pill as a teen and after trying a few I found one that was fine but they stopped providing it because it’s ‘expensive’ (hence switch to injection) but if this is the long term for me I would try the pill again.

I was prescribed Prozac for this and it worked really well. Just had to take it the 14 days before my period. I’d been having pre menstrual feelings of doom, and was at the end of my tether but ur was great

Hi there

I'm 41 yrs and before I had kids my periods were a doddle. After my 2 boys 2016+2018, I have struggled with PMS. I had the Mirena coil fitted in 2019 which help my flow but not the mood swings. I get so tired, feel like I'm suppressing so much anger and as soon as my period arrives, I go back to my usual self...for the whole thing to start again.

My GP has been great and signposted me to NAP's - www.pms.org.uk/ to explore my options. My GP wants me to take Prozac, however, I don't think I've really done enough to change my diet and use supplements for PMS. So I'm trying a whole high fibre plan - only 1 week in so can't say if it's really helping.

I wrote a post about it with more details raising2children.com/5-precious-tips-to-help-you-get-better-at-living-with-pms/

Thank you, that’s really helpful

Have you heard of pmdd? Your symptoms sound similar www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd/about-pmdd/ I have tried mentioning this to my gp before but they completely dismissed what I was saying.