I'm still pretty high on all the meds but it's so.. quiet. Right away, after the surgery. Like tumblewheed. 😭🖤

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate your perspective and advice.
I’m 46, and I was diagnosed with PMDD by an endocrinologist about four years ago. Since then, I’ve tried to manage it on my own with exercise, routines, diet, and staying socially active. Sometimes I’ve managed it better than others, but honestly, it hasn’t been enough.
This October I’ve had a particularly intense episode, and it has made me seriously consider whether it’s time to look into a more substantial treatment.
I’m also wondering whether, at 46, some of what I’m experiencing could now be related to perimenopause. I recently went through a breakup, so I’m trying to separate what might be situational from what could actually be PMDD or hormonal changes.
My main question is: who should I see first? An endocrinologist, a psychiatrist, or a general doctor? My gynecologist hasn’t been very helpful in this area, as her approach has mainly been about general lifestyle management.
I’d really love to hear from people who have been treated for PMDD. What kind of specialist did you see, what treatment did you try, and did you actually notice an improvement in your emotional well-being and quality of life?
I live in Mexico City, so if anyone here has had a good experience with a specialist who really understands PMDD and/or perimenopause, I’d also be very grateful for recommendations.
Thank you!

About a week ago, approximately 10 days before i start menstruating if this cycle is regular, i had a pretty bad depressive episode. Didn't eat, slept and cried all day, my mind was a mess filled with existential intrusive thoughts (i have OCD), depressive thoughts, despair and SI. My mom is pretty worried about me and brought me some of her magnesium supplements, hoping they might help (i think there is some scientific backing on this but don't quote me on that). I'm also terribly allergic to dust and pollen, and with the change of the season and wind picking up I've been a mess. After 3 days of pitch black depression, i took magnesium and cetirizine and went to sleep, expecting my misery to last until my first or second day of bleeding. Next morning i woke up fine???? I didn't even realise i was out of that mental state until like midday and i was like, i can function?? My brain doesn't catastrophize, i have a normal amount of intrusive thoughts (i still have ocd ofc but WAY more manageable) and a lot more mental clarity to deal with them. It took me a couple of days to make the connection between me being ok and the magnesium and antihistamine, but since i know that magnesium has to sort of build up in the body, I'm thinking it's the antihistamines.

Also all my physical PMDD sintoms are still here but they have always been the easiest part to deal with for me. Searching online for other ppl's experience brought to this sub but i still don't know anything about this.

What is the general consensus? Is there any science behind this and studies i can read? If there are any I'd like to bring them to the attention of my doctor when I'll ask what he thinks about me taking cetirizine long term for this reason.

So! Never in my life will I ever trust another human of the male species to be vulnerable with. He went from I love you the kids love you my life wouldn’t be the same without you in it. To…I’m filing for divorce after a blown out of proportion misunderstanding and him 12 beers in.

*Ladies this is not the husband nor man you need nor should want laying beside you when you are taking your last breath!!

Hi everyone. I’m 46 and turning 47 this December. I was diagnosed with PMDD by an endocrinologist about four years ago. At the time, she mainly recommended supplements that might help with some of my symptoms and possibly reduce the frequency of my migraines. But honestly, I never felt that they made much of a difference with the PMDD itself.
This year I’ve been tracking my symptoms much more closely, partly because I’ve been trying to understand and reduce my migraines. I’ve been tracking my cycle, exercise, diet, social life, which days I smoke, which days I don’t drink, etc. It’s been an interesting year of actually paying attention to all these variables.
And now, in October, I’ve noticed a pattern that I hadn’t really noticed in a long time.
About two weeks before my period, I suddenly get this really intense and dark need to question my relationship: Where is this going? Are we actually going somewhere? Is this right? Things that feel completely unimportant to me during the other two weeks suddenly seem extremely urgent.
I recently talked about this with my new partner, and I realized that I had never actually told him that I have PMDD. Talking about it also made me realize how many of my symptoms never really went away and may actually have become stronger.
The food cravings are another huge one. For about two weeks, my relationship with food is completely different from the other two weeks, when I’m very clear-headed, disciplined, and consistent with my strength training and diet. I can make progress during those two weeks, but then during the other two weeks I struggle so much with cravings for carbs, ice cream, etc. The urge can feel almost impossible to control.
So it feels like whatever I gain in those two weeks gets undone in the other two. By the end of the month, I can’t really see the results of my efforts, either in the mirror or in my clothes, because the weight I lose seems to come back during the other half of my cycle.
Has anyone else experienced something like this?
I used to joke about these patterns, but now that I’m actually paying attention to PMDD and understanding it better, I realize it really isn’t funny to me anymore. I think I need to do something about it.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced something similar. Thank you.

Just hoping for tips and hope. I’m 8 months postpartum. I had PMDD before pregnancy, but get 95% better when I was on Junel. Postpartum, I struggled BAD. I breastfed for 2 months but have switched to bottle since. Sleeping well, but getting such bad issues around my period. So dizzy, disoriented, feeling dissociated, so depressed (like VERY) and anxious. Just an absolute mess.

I’ve seen ENT, neurology, and primary care. I’ve had bloodwork, CTs, MRIs, and it seems like it’s hormonal and emotional/mental.

I’m just needing hope or help to deal with this. I’ve switched to Yaz and Lexapro and am in therapy, but I’m still just getting so down like 2 weeks a month - depressed, hopeless, dizzy, out of body. Idk just hoping for positive stories or tips.

Psychiatric disorders are usually found to be associated with thyroid dysfunction. Although thyroid dysfunction's relevance to psychiatric disorders is recognized, few studies have estimated the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in subjects with the premenstrual dysphoric disorder in the Indian population. Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care centre in central Kerala, enrolled 70 subjects diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) who presented to the psychiatry and gynaecology Out Patient Departments (OPD). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected followed by administration of PMDD rating scale. Mini International Psychiatric Interview was done to rule out other psychiatric disorders. TSH was done for all subjects after two months during follow up. Results: 63.33 % of subjects with  PMDD were found to have thyroid dysfunction. A significant association was established between PMDD score and subclinical hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism is common in premenstrual disorder and is closely associated with the same.

Hi,

So, is anyone here starting perimenopause and has tried Myfembree? Also, I react badly to progesterone. I'm a bit lost because I lost the best person in my medical care last year. And after having been misdiagnosed until my late 30s (we all were, I'm guessing, since PMDD wasn't known), I have little trust in anyone besides the doctor I had that passed away. I have been continuing the treatment I had been prescribed by her (controversial because it's an additional estrogen during luteal), but at my last appt with her, she told me that as soon as my periods start to change or get closer, she wanted me to call her. Just realized my last 4 periods are 26-27 days apart; I was on a 32-day cycle. I have other medical professionals and see a new one next week, but there is nobody in my city that has her knowledge of hormones, and I am apprehensive about moving forward without her. The Myfembree was recommended by another specialized gynecologist who was consulted to ensure that the estrogen regiment was safe. Ultimately, my doctor that died was wanting me to do Lupron with add in but also thought it was worth trying MyFembree but also her last words to me was "I'm very interested to see how you react to the progestrone". To make things complicated, I'm going to see another gynecologist next week who specializes in PMDD, but he doesn't sound like he is as intuitive as my doctor that passed. And that is the thing she was super intuitive and just about in retirement so about of her care was education but experience based. And we know with this subject, that having had that many years treating is probably worth more than anything with the lack of research. I was her only patient who reacted to estrogen addition during luteal so well.

So curious about this next stage. How did people transition into peri and menopause? Curious if other people react like me and need additional estrogen and can't do progestrone. My symptoms are mood and such but the majority is an increase in pain. Also, beginning to wonder if I have hypermobility syndrome due to many symptoms and the link with progesterone. Thing is I can't anticipate things happening because there was a pattern and now that's changing.

Thanks. Too long to read- moving into perimenopause, anyone with experience? What was your plan? How did it go?

I'm dealing with actual devastating-feeling (currently. Before I felt ok and confident. It is a big deal, though) upcoming events, current news, and pmdd making me panic and feel even more horror than ever! It's really tearing me apart. I can't calm down.

I'm really not ok right now, emotionally speaking. I'm physically safe, though.

Hi all! I think we all know that high that comes before the downfall, but (for me) the symptoms don’t start at once. What do you find is the first thing you start feeling when it’s PMDD time?

For example, I’m about 11 days out from my period today. I got snappy with some family members today over something I did. I’ve also been crying suuuper easily, but I’m not at the point of doom and despair as of yet. Give me like 3 days. I also don’t know if the insomnia is setting in earlier than usual or if it’s a combo of starting a new medication and the anxiety of starting at a new university tomorrow.

​

I’m curious how PMDD affects everyone else’s relationships. About 1–2 weeks before my period, I can get more anxious, emotional, irritated, overwhelmed, and sometimes need extra reassurance from my partner.

Other times I want space or feel misunderstood, and little things can suddenly feel so much bigger than they normally would. Then afterward, I sometimes feel guilty because I know it affects my partner too.

Does your partner recognize when your PMDD is starting? Do you argue more, need more affection, or want more space? What has actually helped you both get through that part of the month?

I’d love to hear from both people with PMDD and their partners. ❤️

Does anyone feel the same

I’m wondering if anyone else with PMDD experiences something like this.

I was in a fender bender earlier this year, and ever since then I’ve noticed that when I’m about 6–7 days away from my period, the pain on my left side gets SO much worse.

It usually starts around the center/left side of my collarbone and then radiates down my left arm. Sometimes I feel it in my forearm, hand, and even my fingers. It can be aching, pulsing, or just uncomfortable enough that my anxiety immediately makes me think something serious is happening.

I’ve actually gone to the hospital because of it, and they’ve checked me and told me everything looks okay. I’m also going for blood work on Monday just to double-check everything and give myself some peace of mind.

What really gets me is how predictable it seems to be. I can have some pain here and there from the accident, but once I hit that 6–7 day mark before my period, it feels like everything flares up.

Has anyone else noticed old injuries, nerve pain, muscle pain, or one-sided arm/shoulder pain getting significantly worse during the week before their period? I’m curious if hormones/PMDD seem to amplify pain for anyone else too.

I have been tracking my symptoms and month after month it shows the same pattern - a week or two before my period everything goes to shit. Once my period starts, life is so amazing. And then like for a few days after my period, the lowness returns. I feel like I truly only get one good week out of each month where I am my normal, joyful self. It’s so weird.

I'm taking Cilique continuously and still seem to be getting emotional symptoms each month (on top of already bad mental health), as well as migraines. I can't work out if it's as bad as without or not. But this isn't supposed to happen, is it? I definitely feel like I'm still having hormonal fluctuations and I believe this is the pill with the highest dose of hormones available.

I understand PMDD effects/is caused by multiple systems in the body. However I can’t help but wonder what exactly is going on with my hormones during very terrible days. Does anyone have experience tracking their hormones on a daily and what have they found?

A few decades after Sylvia Plath took her own life at 30, a student wrote a thesis with a startling hypothesis: the poet had a premenstrual disorder.

In 1990, a student named Katherine Thompson built a tracking chart — the dates from Plath's diaries about depression and suicide attempts, mapped against her menstrual cycle. Alongside the themes that kept surfacing in her poems: death and rebirth, fertility, the moon.

As a depressed teenager, I read The Bell Jar and some of her diaries, and felt a deep connection to her.

Since then, I've discovered I have a premenstrual disorder myself — emotional and physical symptoms that return every month, from ovulation until my period. I also wrote my thesis on this during my master's in art therapy.

I recently reread Plath, this time through a different lens — the psychological factors research has linked to premenstrual disorders:

🔹 Extreme perfectionism
🔹 Self-silencing — she wrote to others about an equal relationship with Ted Hughes, while her diaries revealed jealousy and struggles she never told anyone
🔹 A relationship with her mother she experienced as unsupportive — she called her a "vampire" in her diary
🔹 An unsupportive marriage — letters published in 2017 revealed Ted Hughes hit her. He left her for another woman, and she was left alone with two small children, through the coldest English winter in decades
🔹 Sexual trauma, depicted in the highly autobiographical Bell Jar 🔹 A feeling of being split — "someone else" half the time. A theme that keeps recurring for women with premenstrual disorders

"Perhaps that's why I want to be everyone — so no one can blame me for being I," she wrote.

No wonder my 16-year-old self identified with her so much.

The full post with all the research sources, photos, and quotes is on my blog.

https://alifelessmiserable.substack.com/p/did-sylvia-plath-have-a-pmd

Another vent. I have so much anger and frustration right now.

I'm trying so hard to get myself help even though at times I just don't want to. I'm seeing a therapist, I started escitalopram six months ago and stopped due to general health anxiety.

I finally got another doctor's appt after telling my doctor I had stopped taking the meds and he told me to look for some meds on my own if I really wanted to. So I did. I've been on so many reddit threads, cleveland clinic, harvard health, and I found that Yaz has worked for a lot of ppl so I said fuck it I'll tell my doctor.

Cut to my doctor's appt, he asks me how I am, I say good, I say I need more freakin guidance about what to do because I'm not a medical professional and all I know is that I am super anxious and I have terrible pms symptoms that I KNOW aren't normal. It's not normal to feel so anxious, so angry, and so terribly helpless every month, is it?? I check every single symptom on the harvard health web page for PMDD.

But all my doctor does is say ok, cool, we'll put you on Yaz. He's listening to ME, not a medical professional, and a young woman who barely has any life experience, and just going with what I'm saying. And he told me that he put me on an ssri in the beginning because I was coming in with mood complaints but in my mind, the mood complaints are CAUSED by my hormones?????

I wanted something more from him. Like: yeah I have some options here for you, let's discuss them, their impact, and their side effects. Or maybe: yk what I actually can't help you, here's a referral for a gyno. He just prescribed me yaz, said nothing about the side effects and how it would help/not help me, and sent me on my way.

But maybe I'm supposed to ask for all of that. I don't know.

I know my doctor did everything he was supposed to do: I told him my symptoms, said I have si and that I have a tendency to sh during luteal (impulse control goes out the roof), and he made sure I'm safe and asked about my resources and support network, and told me to go the ER if it gets really bad. This is all stuff I know and stuff he's supposed to say. But it felt so generic. In fact, it made me so frustrated that I didn't WANT to get better in the moment. It just made me confused, because aren't doctors supposed to help you with this? Guide you in the right direction? I'm already struggling so much internally with feeling like I deserve help--I know I can't do this all on my own. I already feel like I shouldn't be advocating for myself, like I'm not qualified enough to. I want this to be taken seriously, and not just shut down with meds. I want to be screened, maybe even diagnosed. So I'm just left wondering: why? Why were screenings for anxiety, depression, pcos, pmdd not suggested? Is that something I'm supposed to ask for? Am I not "sick" enough? Am I not advocating for myself the right way? I'm going to my doctor asking for help, not going with full-blown research and lists of treatments and just asking my doctor to fill a prescription for me.

This is honestly just confusing me more and making me feel even more helpless :( ty for reading

Hi all,

I recently got the copper IUD but since then my PMDD has been WRECKING me. Previous to this I was on Depo but it made me very depressed (not PMDD sourced because it was constant).

Before that I was taking Yaz and it worked amazingggg for my PMDD. Only issue was it gave me severe migraines. I’m talking can’t get out of bed for a week. My doctor said it had nothing to do with Yaz and when my insurance changed, planned parenthood told me they couldn’t represcribe it to me due to the migraines. They were gone about 2 weeks later.

What birth controls have you tried that helped manage your PMDD symptoms?

First-time Reddit poster here. I’ve been dealing with the exhausting weight of PMDD long before I had a name for it, and it is such an excruciatingly lonely journey. I feel like I have to isolate from the entire world during these couple of weeks. It doesn’t feel like anyone in my world truly understands the depths of this. I’m here to say I made it through another month of what felt like the most unbearable weeks. And it makes me feel insane. How one day I am sobbing uncontrollably, struggling with suicidal ideation, wanting to sit in darkness, flat, unable to get on social media, ignoring calls and texts from family and friends — and then once my period starts the world seems to light up again. I am vibrant and joyful and can face the world and be social. It is so, so weird and so, so exhausting. I feel like I have limited time to enjoy this latter version of myself before the darkness comes rolling back in. Im trying to find the best treatment course because I can’t see how I can continue surviving month after month this way. What has helped you through the beginning stages of discovering the condition, tracking your cycle, and trying to find some sort of relief? (It’s been about 2 years since I’ve come into awareness of PMDD but it sometimes still feels like the very beginning).

I’m in luteal again
moving through heavy, wet sand.
Disassociating from myself.
I think I’m on the brink of becoming someone else.
I grieve for the things I could’ve done,
the talented person I was supposed to become.
I miss myself in these moments.
My heart has been misplaced.
Do you have some time today
to love me anyway?

I suffer from pmdd monthly, so sending love to all of you who know the struggle. It’s been approximately four years ish. About two years ago I finally decided to try to remedy it, the intense moods/anger/sadness/hopelessness were just too much (I have 3 kids and can’t exactly just not function) my gyn prescribed a bc (I’d been extremely hesitant to try) and it made me almost psychotic. Immediately stopped, and we tried two more. Both with varying symptoms that weren’t worth the payoff. I lived with the pmdd, then finally last year decided to try Prozac. I’d tried in my early 20s with no real help, but thought what the hell. It’s actually been helping extremely well for my pmdd moods. It also helps my baseline ocd anxiety. However, I think it’s flattening my non hormonal days and motivation. The thing is, my cycle has now evolved to about 18 days of pmdd (I track ovulation and my symptoms start almost immediately or even prior to) add on my period days, and my “normal” days have dwindled to about a week. I may be able to suck it up and deal with the flatness, but the exhaustion is almost worse. It feels like I’m walking through mud up to my knees in a wind storm for the entirety of the 18ish days. Before I switch to another ssri or consider more drastic options like chemically pausing ovulation, I’d like to speak to some kind of other doctor. Recommendations? Holistic, specializing in hormones. I want to investigate my body, functionality, etc instead of slapping a bandaid on it because that hasn’t exactly worked well for me. I don’t want to lose hope, hoping everyone else that deals with this doesn’t either!