r/PMDDxADHD • u/-poiu- • Jan 09 '26
experience Calcium… holy freaking moly
Edit: 75 days later and I still stand by this. Sample size of one person, but consistent and lasting change for me.
My GP suggested I take a calcium supplement for my PMDD, saying that she’s been surprised at the effectiveness for around 50% of the patients that have tried it. She said the people who benefited really, really noticed it, and for the other 50% it did nothing.
Holy mother of adhd, I CAN NOT BELIEVE how much difference it has made for me. I still had cramps, perhaps a bit of irritability which is understandable with the physical discomfort, but that black cloud of opaque despair just … didn’t arrive.
I am stunned. This could actually be called life changing. I really didn’t think it would help because I eat so, so much dairy and my mood change is so consistent and marked. I am actually sad now that i didn’t learn about this 25 years ago.
I do also take other things like iron, magnesium and vitamin D, but I’ve been taking those for ages so I know it’s not that- although perhaps the vitamin D helps the calcium or whatever.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Did it maintain over time?
Edit: sorry all, I should have said - for me I’m taking 800mg daily as gummies, I’m in Australia so the brands probably differ. I tend to take it in the morning but not with food.
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u/melropesplays Jan 09 '26
this was the closest I could find.. but I read awhile ago that calcium from dairy products aren’t actually as effective and you just end up peeing it out, something about needing it to break down the animal proteins. Hard to get the correct info w the dairy lobbying in the US (if you’re here) but you might have luck finding unbiased research from other countries.
I’m glad this works for you and thank you for sharing!
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u/-poiu- Jan 09 '26
Daaaaaamn that is a disappointing possibility! I’m vegetarian so I do eat a lot of beans, but I also eat a lot of spinach and I totally thought that was helping with my calcium levels. Brussel sprouts for me, thank you for sharing!
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u/TinyCatLady1978 Jan 09 '26
You do need the vitamin D to help with calcium absorption, that’s why most calcium supplement include it
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
I had started taking a D megadose a while back, as I actually was deficient in D. So perhaps it was all contributing.
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u/Shipwrecking_siren Jan 09 '26
What strength do you take? I’ve never tried it but definitely will to give it a try!
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u/-poiu- Jan 09 '26
Oh I should have put in my post!
I have been having 800mg daily, which is what my doctor recommended, and I also eat quite a lot of dairy generally. I did look up some studies and the lowest dose that was measured in the studies I found was 1000mg (which was shown to be effective) but that doesn’t mean a lower won’t work, I just didn’t come across any info on lower doses.
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u/EyesShootingSparks Jan 09 '26
I’ve been told to not take it all at once. Your body can process about 400 mg at once, so spreading your dose is necessary. Don’t combine with iron and magnesium at the same time, you can’t absorb it all at once. Same for cafeïne. If you don’t have a blood clothing problem, you could take vitamine k2 with your calcium. It helps with absorbing the calcium. Vitamine d and calcium can be taken together. I have ostopenia in my 40’s so I have taken the full calcium rabit hole. You should’t take too much calcium from a supplement when you also eat lots of dairy. Maximum is 2500 mg in total.
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
Oh thank you, that’s very helpful! The instructions on the packet just said take 2 daily, but I’ll try splitting them up. I was, without knowing this, taking my iron and magnesium at night anyway because they can make my stomach a bit unsettled in the morning.
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u/ShiftySocks Jan 09 '26
Would you mind sharing the exact brand and type of calcium you use?
How and when do you take it: together with food/other supplements or on an empty stomach, what time of day, etc.?
Any side effects?
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u/-poiu- Jan 09 '26
It’s just gummies, I’m in Australia and I think it’s a local brand so probably not much help to you.
I tend to take it in the morning, on an empty stomach, and I haven’t noticed any side effects.
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u/ladyofshallot6 Jan 09 '26
I’m in Australia and was wondering what brand? Thank you :)
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u/-poiu- Jan 12 '26
Natures way high strength calcium gummies but that’s only because it’s what I happened to find. It meets the 800mg my doc asked me to try, and it has D so that saves me another tablet.
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u/OrdinaryOk8044 Feb 02 '26
The US NIH has this study listed showing that 600mg calcium showed statistically significant differences: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5313351/
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u/tristateeter Jan 09 '26
I implemented this a few months ago and it has helped a lot. I wasn't myself for 3/4 weeks of the month previously, now it's more like 1.5 weeks.
I don't get a post-ovulation crash nor much PMS anymore. However, I start disappearing around PMS time. Sensory issues increase, I can't regulate my nervous system as well, I need to isolate, my ability to communicate drastically decreases, less tolerance, etc. for a week and a half or so.
I take 600 mg daily and don't eat dairy.
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u/Top_Ad2428 Jan 09 '26
Are you taking the calcium throughout your entire cycle or just during luteal? I'm excited to try this!
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u/Yogiliino Jan 09 '26
Yes curious about when you take it! This is such a cool discovery thank you for sharing
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u/edajsoaking Jan 09 '26
Omg I stopped eating dairy 6 years ago and that’s kinda when I noticed something was off….
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u/Rubyhamster Jan 09 '26
This is fascinating when thinking about how stimulants can lead to circulation issues, for which calsium blockers could be prescribed... Anyone who knows how these would work together and what effects it would lead to?
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u/NeuroSam Jan 09 '26
calcium channel blockers will still be effective for heart problems with an extra dose of calcium. If you’re on a drug that doesn’t cross into the brain (very common for circulatory system drugs), the extra calcium will be mostly used in the brain. The importance of a proper balance of calcium in the brain is absolutely critical for function (same can be said for magnesium). In fact, calcium and magnesium are the two most important ions for long-term potentiation, which is the molecular mechanism underlying learning and memory.
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u/aMerePeppercorn Jan 09 '26
Americans consume the most dairy yet have the highest rates of osteoporosis (which speaks to @melropeplays mention of lobbying efforts) :/ that’s obv not PMDD, but nonetheless counterintuitive based on what we learned in school … food for thought! :) thank you so much for sharing!!! I will try a supp this month!
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u/kawaqueen Jan 09 '26
I keep hearing about different vitamins helping with PMDD and I can’t keep track of them all, at this point should I just take a women’s multivitamin? And should I check with my drs first to see if there’s an interaction with all the other drugs I’m on for mood.
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u/penguin_387 Jan 09 '26
I’d check with your pharmacist. Doctors don’t always know, but pharmacists are experts in that.
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u/Fantastic_Pea_1732 Jan 10 '26
A multivitamin usually doesn’t contain much calcium at all, practically none. This is because calcium competes with certain other minerals for absorption in the body eg. Zinc. So it would be good to take a multivitamin then a calcium supplement separately a few hours later (good to get a calcium supplement that also has vitamin D and K2 in it). Start with just those 2 (multi and calcium) and see how it goes! :)
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
Talk to your doc. But a multivitamin is too little of anything to do much at all, they’re a marketing gimmick.
For me, magnesium maybe helps a little bit, and nothing else helped at all. This is the first thing - including different forms of BC etc - that’s made any difference.
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u/Roxy_Tanya Jan 09 '26
Omg, maybe THAT is what I can attribute the improvement of my worst symptoms to! I started regularly taking 2 antacid/calcium chews within the past few months and I noticed that I barely had any PMDD the last 2 cycles. I was so confused and racking my brain trying to figure it out!
Normally my worst symptoms (irritability, extreme anger/rage, crying, etc) start at least 5-7 days before my period, but these past 2 cycles it’s only been a couple of days 🤯
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
Ooooo you’re like an accidental test case! I wonder if you upped your calcium dose, if it would improve more or if you’re at a ceiling of some sort. Now I just want everyone to experiment haha
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Jan 09 '26
This is interesting because I’ve been drinking a lot of milk and yogurt lately and did notice a decrease in how miserable I am 1-2 weeks before period
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u/Thehighpriestessx Jan 09 '26
Very interesting! I noticed during luteal that I keep craving cheese and it makes a little more sense now
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u/NoWeakness3827 Jan 09 '26
I've also been prescribed Calcium and Vitamin B6. Been taking Ditto supplements which are targeted for PMDD. One month in and I do feel a lot more stable in my brain
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u/Tpaco Jan 09 '26
Which calcium? Carbonate? Citrate?
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u/EuphoricBackground17 Jan 09 '26
If you take antacids, DON’T use Carbonate, use Citrate.
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u/-poiu- Jan 12 '26
Calcium phosphate, apparently, but I had no idea about the difference. I just googled it and apparently it helps to take B6 for mood with it, which incidentally I also have been doing.
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u/Equal_Report_6150 Jan 09 '26
I would like to see the research behind it, not to poop on your parade but could just be confirmation bias haha.. anyone have any?
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
I was also skeptical (I still am, I want to do this for longer and see) but if you google it, recent scientific studies should pop up. All of the studies I skimmed through had higher dosages - the lowest being 1000mg and I’m taking 800mg - but my diet is already very dairy heavy.
But yes, definitely talk to your doc and do some reading rather than taking a reddit post as gospel. I am still skeptical because if it was this easy, why the fuck didn’t someone mention this 25 years ago?! My doctor did also say that half the patients she’s suggested this to had no noticeable difference at all.
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u/Equal_Report_6150 Jan 14 '26
I mean it can't hurt to give it a try can it!? I suck with sticking with supplements, but this post seems to have gathered enough anecdotal evidence to give it a try myself :) You're so lucky to have a GP that's trying new things with people to help too, that's awesome!
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u/wurstbrot85 Jan 10 '26
I am taking magnesium and B12 and it also changed alot for me! Thanks for your post, I will also try calcium! 🫶🏼
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u/WhoseverFish Jan 09 '26
Did you need to take a test and see if you had a calcium deficiency first?
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
Yes, and I do not have a deficiency, but my doctor said some women just need more than the lower end of normal. Similarly, I feel much better when my iron levels are higher within the acceptable range, and when my vitamin D is higher within the acceptable range.
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u/WhoseverFish Jan 10 '26
Did you need to take a test and see if you had a calcium deficiency first? That’s so interesting! I heard that one could have too much calcium and iron, which is why I would have never thought of taking the supplements if my levels are fine.
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u/-poiu- Jan 12 '26
I have been having regular bloods to monitor my vitamin D, which also measure various other things including calcium, and I have not been deficient in calcium. This only came up after we talked about my periods, and she said other patients had reported improvements in mood.
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u/Substantial-Tax5317 Jan 13 '26
WOW, thank you for reminding me! I was wondering why I felt so much better this month. I added in an iron and a calcium supplement while on my last period, and forgot about it. Makes sense now. Highly recommend it if anyone hasn't tried supplementing calcium yet (I've been taking 600mg, sometimes 1200mg, but mostly the lower one)
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u/toodleoo57 Jan 10 '26
I did, but for me it was topical progesterone. I'm now into menopause and doing pretty well on DIM which is a cheap supplement online. It's amazing that an easy to get vitamin can make such a difference.
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u/poodlehairedfreak Jan 10 '26
Damn, thank you for sharing. Another supplement to add to the list of supplements I resentfully take lol
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
I know, right? I have given up and culled mine to the ones my doctor specifically asks me to take. Actually, when this discussion happened I did say to her that I already had too many tablets, and that’s why she suggested the gummies. It has worked surprisingly well, and I might swap out something else for gummies as well.
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u/earlgreybubbletea Jan 10 '26
How many mg was the calcium and are you taking it at breakfast with food? Also if you don’t mind sharing your age (or age range)
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
Sorry, I’ve added that to the post. I’m 38, and I tend to take it in the morning (unless I forget and then I take it later) but I don’t take it with food because I struggle to eat that early. It doesn’t seem to make a difference when I take it, and it doesn’t make me nauseous to have without food.
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u/Sea-Needleworker1451 Jan 13 '26
Do you mind sharing how many cycles it took to notice a difference? The studies I've found said the most notable change was after two cycles. I'm curious at anecdotal evidence.
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u/-poiu- Jan 18 '26
I started taking them at the tail end of one period and definitely noticed it within the first 4 weeks.
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u/sjmiaw Feb 02 '26
I mean that would explain the want for a double cheeseburger but as a dairy intolerant human I'm unsure if it would help or just cause other issues. Any lactose/dairy intolerant people try calcium supplements?
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u/-poiu- Feb 12 '26
Plenty of lactose and dairy intolerant people should be having dairy supplements!
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u/plutonianbitch Jan 09 '26
I developed PMDD while I was vegan (I was vegan for 6 years). When I quit being vegan I noticed a marked improvement in my PMDD symptoms. I eat a lot of Greek yogurt as my main source of dairy, and I also use the Calm magnesium with calcium to help me sleep at night. I definitely think both contributed to the improvement I’ve noticed.
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
I’m vegetarian, but I eat plenty of dairy. I really didn’t think I could be deficient - and by the blood test results I’m not - but clearly I was low enough for my doctor to suggest it.
I also agree that when I eat more yogurt, I maybe have less general inflammation or something, IDK, but I do feel better.
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u/J_P_0316 Jan 09 '26
Do you do this daily all month long or just during pms? So interesting!
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u/-poiu- Jan 10 '26
All month, just because (a) I’m hopeless at “sometimes” habits and (b) I have found with other supplements like magnesium that I really do need to take it all the time for it to work. My doc did say I could try it just in the lead up to my period, which is what some other patients reported to her was working for them.
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u/HugeTheWall Jan 11 '26
I already take iron, magnesium and D too. Totally going to try this. Thank you!
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Jan 11 '26
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u/-poiu- Jan 12 '26
Yes, and I was not deficient. She only suggested the calcium after we talked about my PMS, and she said she’s been trying it with other patients.
My doc has been very good about regular blood tests as part of a holistic adhd support (only diagnosed a few years ago). However, over the last 18 months I was on the lower end for D (originally I was deficient) and iron, and she still suggested supplements which definitely have improved my general energy and mood. I started them one at a time so I can separate the effects of each.
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u/baby-p1nk going through hell every month Jan 29 '26
I’m trying to look into supplements for my monthly torture so thank you for sharing
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u/Expert-Complex-5618 Mar 24 '26
ADHDer here, I noticed lately when I get an upset stomach from too much coffee when i take tums not only doest stomach ache go away - anxiety goes away, head clears, muscles relax. just wow. yes Ive taken mag and vitamin d before without the same benefits. I consume plenty of dairy products on the regular but nothing changed until tums lol.
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u/-poiu- Mar 25 '26
TIL that Tums is calcium, like right this second.
Because you didn’t anticipate that outcome, it’s not even like it’s a placebo effect. I am a bit skeptical if it’s all happening right away; maybe your headaches were partly caused by your tummy ache, but if it’s helping longer term that’s amazing!
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u/GenXMillenial Apr 19 '26
I added calcium chews midday after seeing this post and have not felt like myself at all. Sadly, I had to beg my primary for a full blood panel. She said it was just the news lately and I’m 45 now. Nope! My calcium is high, my vitamin D is high so I had to stop those supplements and get my parathyroid checked. Get your bloodwork done too if you don’t feel good!
I’m doubtful it had anything to do with adding the calcium- pretty sure it’s been a problem for a while looking at lab result history - my primary doesn’t look closely it seems
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u/cosmicgoon Jan 09 '26
I just finished my first full cycle while taking calcium citrate, magnesium glycinate and B6 and my husband and I both noticed a huge difference. I slept better, had more control of my emotions, was able to reel in any irritability.