Mood swings and perimenapause?

[IamAporcupine]

I know I am not in a good place for several reasons (relationship, work, elederly mother, etc) but from time to time (before my period is due?) I get extremely low.

And I mean really really bad.

I've just been crying my eyes out and banging my head (yes) because there were no slots left in the Easter sports camp for DS.

Could this be hormonal? It feels too extreme to be 'normal'.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
Any advice?

My libido has completely dissapeared in the last month too.

Oh yes. This is absolutely classic in perimenopause, unfortunately. Our hormones start going haywire and what you describe with your moods and your libido is typical. It's worth having a chat to your GP. If it all gets unbearable you might want to consider HRT.

Thanks @DramaAlpaca

It's manageable most of the time, but when I get this low, it is unbearable indeed, and exhasting, and scary.

My memory is also completely gone.

The memory thing is awful isn't it? I really suffered with that, but am pleased to say it's come back now I'm out the other side.

Have you tried taking any supplements for perimenopausal women? I found them helpful. I take Menopace, a Boots brand soya isoflavones thing, and vitamin D. I didn't personally feel the need to take HRT, but wouldn't have hesitated if I was really suffering.

I developed PMDD in peri menopause and a low dose of antidepressant is the recommended treatment by the Royal College of obs and gynaes. I’m not good with synthetic hormones though so HRT wasn’t an option for me. Worth a chat with your GP.

I haven't taken any supplements yet, but I will certainly try, thanks.

I have always been very emotional, and had tendency to feel low, but this is just too much.

Re. memory - sometimes I am doing something at work, data analysis or similar, and when I am half way through I get this faint recollection, as if I may have done something similar before? Then I realise that only a couple of days ago I spent hours doing that same task!

I was always OK at work, my job is quite full on and I have to keep lots of balls in the air, but I'd get home in the evening and wouldn't be able to finish a sentence or remember what day of the week it was. So frustrating.

thanks @Teenagerwillbethedeathofme, I will look into that too

Im 42 and my GP put me on 50mg of sertraline, I can't take HRT so I am reliant on this and menopace vitamins. The medication has really helped me take some control back, much to the relief of DH & DC. My mood swings and brain fog ended up giving me really bad anxiety as I didn't trust myself to make a decision on anything.