Ptsd And Menstruation

[Pixielicious]

Hello ladies, I'm just wondering if any of you have experienced changes in your monthly cycle due to the symptoms/stress of PTSD?
For example, often, when I have a severe flashback during my menstruation, it will stop mid cycle only to resume a few days or even a week later.
Before PTSD, my menstrual cycle was always regular, and no matter how stressed I used to get, it never used to affect my periods.
I'm 47 and was tested last year to see if I was menopausal, or pre-menopausel and no I'm not. :inlove:

 

[Deleted member 34328]

Yes, I have had that happen over the last year. I went to a doctor and was told it was completely related to high levels of anxiety and stress. Nothing to worry about. I'm not pre-menopausal either. That is a valid question though. I'm glad you followed up with a doctor.

 

[Silver.]

Stress definitely plays a role in our cycles.
I am curious how you mean, before PTSD. Do you mean before the diagnosis, or the trauma that caused it?
(because even if we have it, but aren't diagnosed, we would still have stress symptoms eh?)

It is interesting that you will stop mid-cycle because of a flashback. I would guess that it is the extreme stress that you go through that shuts it down. It's good to know you are not premenopausal as it completely sucks...we really need people (grandmothers or something) to tell us just how crappy it is.
The better you can manage your stress, the more regular your cycles should become. In the meantime, it's just a big pain in the rear.

 

[Pixielicious]

Stress definitely plays a role in our cycles.

I am curious how you mean, before PTSD. Do you mean befo...

Yeah, I meant before the actual major trauma.
I've always had regular periods before this, and now, like you said, it's just a pain in the ass lol
Everytime it stops mid cycle, I'm like "oh for ffs, I don't want to be wearing a menstrual pad for another week or so just waiting for it to resume"

 

[Silver.]

^^ I have had so many problems, I had a tube and ovary removed.
It never has been predictable, it usually comes for a day or 2, disappears, comes back, doesn't come at all, have symptoms 2 weeks before it comes... You learn to be overly prepared and constantly on guard lol
and lately it's have symptoms with no monthlies...like seriously?? if you're going to make me feel miserable there should at least be something... (which is totally ironic, who wants their damned period??)
good fun!!

 

[Pixielicious]

^^ I have had so many problems, I had a tube and ovary removed.
It never has been predictable, it usual...

That happens to me too, I mean, I get menstrual pains, get ready for the bleeding stage, have a flashback and it stops. Other than being a c-sect mom and having been sterilised, my womb and ovaries are intact and healthy (Obviously I do have scarring due to the operations)
And I get even more depressed when this happens... I Just want some kind of normality and regularity you know?

 

[Silver.]

I completely understand. If you are able, you could try a low hormone birth control, which would help regulate it. They have some decent low estrogen and low hormone birth control for people that are older than their 20's but need regulation. Though it does carry risk.
(I cannot take that, which totally sucks. But they do have me on a low dose estrogen, which has helped ease the symptoms)

 

[Pixielicious]

I completely understand. If you are able, you could try a low hormone birth control, which would help r...

I'm highly sensitive and allergic to a lot of things. And in my younger days, being on the 'pill' drove me into a 'manic phase' every single time, even though I changed the brands.
I'm a bit wary of hormone pills because of it now.
However, I've been doing some hardcore research on phytoestrogens, Phytoestrogens are plant-derived xenoestrogens (estrogen) . Flaxseed is, an excellent source of this for example. :)

 

[Silver.]

I know a lot of people that have good luck with flax, (though it made me sick)

soy is a great alternative to help with symptoms, also magnesium is good for PMS
I think it's great you are looking into your own alternatives, because if you can find something that works that isn't a prescription, I always think that's the better option x

 

[Pixielicious]

I know a lot of people that have good luck with flax, (though it made me sick)

soy is a great alternat...

I have to say... None of this would be happening had I not found this site.
I'm starting to take better care of myself now.... All I needed was to open up, vent, like I've been doing, get some support, and to just simply know that I'm not the only human on this planet with PTSD.
I've never met or know anybody in real life with PTSD.
So, so grateful for this amazing site.
I know I keep yapping on about this in every other thread lol but I've changed from helpless, suicidal to I'm gonna fight, and gain some kind of control over the flashbacks and disassociation...I haven't felt this positive in years :)

 

[Panda Bear]

My cycle has been MIA since August and just came back this week.

I've been doing heavy trauma work from the first of September, until a break last week. And guess what showed this week??? Ugh!

It's happened a lot over the past two years. With the longest being 4 missed cycles.

My psychiatrist says it's pretty normal, especially considering the trauma and the intensity of my work.

 

[Pixielicious]

My cycle has been MIA since August and just came back this week.

I've been doing heavy trauma work...

My usual cycle, since I was 13 yrs old, used to be every 24 days.... But ever since the major trauma raised its evil ugly head, 3 months has been the longest I've ever been without menstruating.... It Just goes to show, and prove how hormones, stress AND fear affects us all. Xx