Poll Women Only- Ptsd And Pms/ Period

[heidi]

I have a terrible time. I keep meaning to start a tread asking about experiences with birth control that fully suppresse menstruation. I think that might have to be an option for me. Wonder though how the pills and hormones effects people.

 

[Jen93]

During PMS, my emotions are more intense and my reactions are closer to the surface than I usually allow.

Exactly. :) My anxiety is worse, my flashbacks are worse, my emotions get really down (they're down whenever I'm on meds,) but they get like that during my period too- but not at the scale they did when I was on meds. Someone needs to do an actual research thing on PMS and PTSD... I think a lot of people would find their PTSD symptoms skyrocket before or during their period.

 

[heidi]

It's rock bottom once a month.

I agree there should be more research done on this.

It can be life threatening.

Like somebody else said I'm probably 10 times more suicidal during this time.

 

[souljah]

Do not get period much due to birth control an iud called merina. Period hardly anything if at all, think that there is still a bit of pms just not as bad as before.

 

[Girl3]

I'm going through menopause now, but I never noticed any change in my symptoms of PTSD before or during menses. With hot flashes, it's worse somehow. The hot flashes 'feel' like shame, which then make me feel angry inside. I had a lot of endometriosis so would get terrible pain prior to starting my periods - which would sometimes give me problems with sleep.

My husband would ask anytime I got upset - "are you about to get your period" regardless of whether I had just finished having one or was two weeks away from starting.

 

[kers]

Like somebody else said I'm probably 10 times more suicidal during this time.

Me too. It took me ages to recognize the pattern of suicidal feelings, but at least I know now when it happens that it will only last a few days.

 

[Red Feather]

My period always surprises me everytime. I should really keep check on when it is coming because I get so worse before and during the period.

 

[Abstract]

I have a direct trigger connected to that time of month.
Maybe PMS affects me but I am not sure as the other is so dominant.

 

[heidi]

I wonder if anyone has tried the form of birth control that inhibits menstruation completely?
I think I already asked this. Maybe I'll be the first to try.
Hahhh. I guess I'll try it and report back if there is no research.

 

[Debbet]

Mine is much worse pre-period, symptoms increase, anxiety heightens and more panic attacks. About pregnancy; I was on a heavy dose of ssri's when I unexpectedly got pregnant with my last daughter. I tried coming off the meds cold turkey, big mistake! Carried my healthy daughter full-term and nursed 9 months on 60. mg of paxil. worried the whole time about what the meds were doing to my baby. The Dr. was blunt about it, if mom can't eat and is near catatonia from depression then the baby will NOT have much of a chance. Taking care of mom IS taking care of baby. She is nine years old now, perfectly normal, good grades, excellent socialization skills, great kid(if I do say so myself). Can't speak for anyone else's experience.

 

[Debbet]

Sorry, didn't see the post about no preggo talk before I posted. I can't take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy because I carry the breast cancer gene. symptoms do get worse four to five days pre-period and are more severe at that time.

 

[Smushroom]

I have been on birth control pills to stop menstruation only, as Im not sexually active. Worst mistake ever! My hormones and emotions were 100 times worse. My T was actually quite concerned and wanted to have me admitted to hospital, and then I told her about the birth control pill and she said well, there's your reason. It completely screws with all your hormone levels. Your hormone levels are all over the place when you are menstruating, but with the pill, you are constantly ingesting hormones, which makes all your levels change. So i stopped the birth control and am 100 times better. Have been off the pill for a few months now and still no sign of menstruating, which is another concerning thing...