Antidepressants only during PMS days?

[nomorespaghetti]

I’ve been struggling with severe PMS since my periods came back after my second child, two years ago. Awful physical and psychological symptoms for half the month

I’ve been taking the combined pill Eloine (also known as Yaz) for 2 months and it’s helped with the physical symptoms, but I’m still getting 7-10 days of irritability, rage, overwhelm, bad sleep…

I want to stay on the pill, but need some extra help I think. The doctor has prescribed 50mg sertraline, she said I could take it continuously, or just on days 15-28. I’m more inclined to take it for just the 10 days before the end of my pill packet.

Has anyone done this and has it been effective?

I’m concerned about side effects, and also stop starting, although I read (albeit on Wikipedia!) that withdrawal syndrome follows continuous use of a month, so presumably I shouldn’t get withdrawn after only a few weeks use each month?

Also interested if anyone has tried pill plus ADs for PMS/PMDD?

Thanks

@TheCatInTheChat it's in the NICE guidelines for vasomotor symptoms but OP was being being prescribed them cyclically for her mood related symptoms "irritability, rage, overwhelm, bad sleep".

The links I added were links to PMS /PMDD and cyclical SSRI use.

@Alltheblue

And speaking as someone who has witnessed the extreme instability that can be triggered in some patients when starting and stopping medications, I find this research another example of experimental women's health 'medicine' that has very little respect for women's mental health. Regardless of how much or little it helped you, I don't think this bright idea should have seen the light of day.

What are you talking about? 🙄

It's not experimental. Did you look at any of the links posted? It's based on evidence.

However, no one regimen works for every patient, so of course, an individual's response must be monitored & taken into account.

The same as for any medication.

Such strange posts from you.

Hay there,

A few years ago a GP advised this exact thing (only taking for duration of period) for my depression during my period. I did it for a good few months and it was a disaster. I ended up under the care of the local MH crisis team and the consultant I saw was mortified at what the GP had suggested.

I'm not saying the same would happen to you but pls be careful xxx

Wow!

I'm a CPN and have never heard this, but clearly it's been trialled and the results seem positive.

Every days a school day.

I have been prescribed the same regimen for the same reason. I haven’t started them yet, slightly terrified to try but to be honest figured it’s worth a shot.

This regimen is in the RCOG guidelines for treatment of PMS so it’s not something your GP just thought up. It’s been in there since 2016.

I’m still sitting on them terrified to start MynameisJune. And sorry to hear you struggling with this too.

My next bad run, when I would start taking the sertraline, is doing Christmas, and so I’m a bit wary of taking them then. I don’t want to mess up my family’s Christmas if I’m badly affected. But equally I don’t want to mess up their Christmas with my PMS!

It won't be remedied with one cycle OP, but it sounds like it's worth giving consideration to, at least.

A line my GP said once was 'how bad are you going to let it get?'which made an impression on me.

Good luck.

@nomorespaghetti

I’m still sitting on them terrified to start MynameisJune. And sorry to hear you struggling with this too.

My next bad run, when I would start taking the sertraline, is doing Christmas, and so I’m a bit wary of taking them then. I don’t want to mess up my family’s Christmas if I’m badly affected. But equally I don’t want to mess up their Christmas with my PMS!

I’ve taken my first one today, I’m terrified of the side effects but can’t carry on this way so anything’s worth a try at this point.