A Question For The Ladies Of The Forum

[Jinn]

Hi girls!
Have any of you noticed a strong change in symptoms around your menstrual cycle? For two weeks after my period I'm pretty normal and upbeat. Then after ovulation, I become very angry, cranky, antisocial, and suicidal. I can't take birth control to control this because I have a huge weight gain and lose my sex drive. Antidepressants give me horrible adverse reactions like severe depression, panic attacks, and uncontrollable anger. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Nicolette]

A question for the ladies of the forum

Hi Jinn

Have you tried Yasmin as it has the least side effects of any of the pills? Unfortunately this makes it the most expensive pill on the market. I don't have any side effects other than less pain!

 

[amethist]

Hi Jinn

Not sure if this will help you or not, but many years ago I had a similar issue though no ptsd involved. My Dr told me, after year of being like a bear with a sore head for at least a week every month, that he thought it may be a Hormone imbalance that needed putting right. So after about a years of taking a med for it, the problem went almost completely. I now just get a bit cranky, but then I am now going through the menapause LOL.

Strange that after years of seeing different Women Dr's, it was a male who decided to try this option.

Amethist

 

[cat]

Hi Jinn

It sounds like PMS, have you thought of taking Primrose oil or a B vit supplement when my daughter goes through phases of this they definitely help. Personally I can't comment, my periods stopped immediately after trauma & 4yrs later have never returned, its my one bonus of having ptsd!

 

[Nicolette]

I also heard Fish Oil tablets were good for PMT pains.

 

[Marinewifey]

Hello,

I have always had really bad cramps during "that time". As a teenage i would just take Motrin or Advil but as an Adult they gave me Naproxin. which is just a prescription strength Motrin, and an Anti-inflammatory but it really helped, especially with the moodiness.



I hope this helps and best of luck to you

 

[QuietNow]

Jinn, does this increased dark mood begin to crest about two days to a week before your period and end a day or so after the period starts? If so, it is probably PMDD (Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder). I took Yaz for about 4 months and it helped that (but I developed one of the nastier side effects so I had to quit). Rather than put me on another birth control, my OB/GYN told me that sometimes the jarring of the PMDD cycle makes it go away.

It did work, but then about a year later the PTSD flared up due to a cubicle stressor at work. And the depression and mood disorder unhinged from my cycle completely.

 

[PerfectEmpire]

I have the same issue. Prior to ovulation I feel great. Then it all goes haywire. What I do is I practice charting. I use 'fertility awareness charts' to keep track of where I'm at. Then I know ahead of time when I'll be in a poor mood so that I can avoid scheduling important or potentially triggering events during that stretch of time. The charts are free on many websites.

 

[AvoidanceRulez]

Hi girls!
Have any of you noticed a strong change in symptoms around your menstrual cycle? For two weeks after my period I'm pretty normal and upbeat. Then after ovulation, I become very angry, cranky, antisocial, and suicidal. I can't take birth control to control this because I have a huge weight gain and lose my sex drive. Antidepressants give me horrible adverse reactions like severe depression, panic attacks, and uncontrollable anger. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated!

OMFG..I go totally psycho right before that time of month(which I hate cuz I'm a control freak). I really truly hate it. I do whatever I can to minimize the PMS,, like totally OD on Evening Primrose Oil & Black Cohosh. They really make a difference

 

[Aine]

Jinn,

I developed CPTSD a year after I started my periods so everything has pretty much become routine now. If anything CPTSD regulated them to the point where I start worrying if I'm a couple of hours late! Like cat, I guess that's my bonus :)
I don't get PMS so much although I do find that I'm a little over-sensitive to people's remarks and behaviours sometimes.
I do, however, especially since I've just come off the pill, have very painful period pains for which I have a very simple cure: hot water bottle, hot chocolate, toast, book, bed.

Love and Light,

Aine.

 

[chelleighbean]

Jinn,

I notice the same thing! I'm glad I'm not alone in this. It just seems like everything is "too much" during about the week before my period. On the bonus side, since I've been diagnosed with PTSD, they have become lighter and lighter (I'm also on blood thinners due to a history of Pulmonary Embolism...so it was pretty heavy for the longest time.) As much as I hate the other symptoms of PTSD, it's like a little gift. I'm hoping they will go away completely.

Hang in there and be kind to yourself during that time period.

Chel

 

[Iam]

Jinn....I don't know how old you are but I'll throw a couple of ideas out there for you. When I was younger I had horrible menstrual cycles...I found a really good women's vitamin helped tremendously. I took Femine Life but I don't know if it'son the market anymore. When I was perimenopause I felt like I was going to explode, wound up like a spring in a box. I took Estroven which is an over the counter herbal remedy and it help with my mood and hot flashes. It probably kept my husband alive LOL!