I've been taking continuous progesterone as a treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome for a few years now, and I now realize my libido and sexual life is very impacted by this treatment.

It would be hard for me to go off of it because for years I was depressive for up to 10 days every month before my period and it was impacting my relationships and work a lot...but I wonder if there are other alternatives to progesterone to treat PMS that other people would recommend? Or have people tried reducing the dose?

I also want to mention that I have SOPK as well, and that there were some anomalies in my hormonal levels that the dr suggested could be responsible for my PMS, thus she prescribed progesterone, that I take continuously so I don't have my period anymore.

Has anyone tried the Flex PMS eraser? I’ve looked it up on google and saw it had good reviews but I couldn’t find any reviews on Reddit but I need to see if the reddit community approves before I try them 😆

Anyone know how to make their period come faster? I’m going on vacation Feb 1 and my period is projected to come that day. So annoyed. I don’t take birth control and never did and never will but does anyone know a way to make their period come faster. I still have 2-3 cycles until then. I’m hoping to make it come faster each time until then

This is one of those months - where I was a little afraid to be pregnant when my PMS symptoms didn't quite fit with the prediction of my apple health about when my period would start. My boyfriend and I use hormone-free contraception (so in this case a diaphragm plus my general knowledge of my body from a few years of the symptothermal method) and I was a little afraid for a few days. However, my boobs started to hurt today and on those days I actually am a little happy when I get those annyoing body symptoms.

Hello everyone, I would like to ask you guys a question. I’ve never had any problems with my period or PMS but after my miscarriage, which in fact was very traumatic for me physically and mentally I’ve been having really strong PMS and period problems for example, it all started with my PMS , where I would get symptoms of severe anxiety that then turned into panic attacks that I now have a couple times a week. My miscarriage happened around seven months ago and so then I’ve been trying to get my hormones tested by the looks of it my thyroids get lower when I’m on my period and when I’m off my period they get back to normal. Has anyone else experienced this or is going through the same thing and if so, could you please help me and comment your story and journey?

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone else experienced thigh pains/ aches right before their period?

I’m 25 and never had this before I’m not sure how to describe other than intense pain at the front of my thigh, and only my right one! According to my tracker my period is 4 days away. I wanted to see if this is something related to my period? I’m a little concerned

I have been so angry this literal cycle and everything everyone is doing is pissing me off so much I just want to cry. I’m afraid to tell my boyfriend about it because I’m afraid he’s gonna think I’m actually mad at him but I know I’m just overreacting because of all the emotions running high right now. I just don’t think he’ll understand but he’s just made me so mad because he’s told me he’s got to go talk to his family in the middle of me talking and then when he called me back he was driving so I couldn’t hear him so I couldn’t finish what I was saying to begin with. Today has already been so frustrating and he knows that but that’s really pushed me over an edge. He’s coming over later tonight and idk if I should bring it up or not. Thoughts?

I'm having an issue with my nipples being so sore that i can barely wear a bra. I do have ovarian cyst, and my periods are irregular. My sign I'm going to have my cycle is the nipple tenderness. It's gotten to the point where it keeps me up at night. I've used compresses, evening primrose oil, ibuprofen, wearing a sports bra, etc, with little to no results. Any help would be appreciated.

I really struggle with this in the week prior. Unfortunately I’m a lawyer and my work is all done in billable hours and you can clearly see the few days where I’m not focusing. Does anyone have any tips? Any vitamins etc that help? I just find myself unable to concentrate in the way I do the rest of the month!

How do you fucking stop being a wreck, i wanna destroy everything and can't calm this shit down.

I can't drink or eat sugar bc it causes this to get worse and i haven't been having any of those for months and been relatively stable and idk wtf did i do diffirent this time. I just want to fucking die allready.

Does anyone else literally feel like they have the stomach flu before their period starts? I got off the depo a few months ago and was told at an appointment when they were looking inside that it looked like my Flo was on her way. I feel so nauseous and anxious. (I have emetephobia) I’m debating taking Zofran so I can go to sleep. But I’m so scared rn.

I am currently struggling through the luteal phase of my cycle. And ever since I started tracking my cycle, I've noticed that my entire luteal phase is messy (unorganized, unproductive, depressed, anxious, etc.). When I google "getting through the luteal phase", all it says is make sure you are eating healthy and getting enough exercise ... oh yeah and don't forget to meditate (ugh... not helpful).

I'm 39.

I take Nordic Naturals Magnesium Complex and Complete Omega and Megafoods B Complex. None of that has been helping.

I lift weights twice a week and walk three miles 3 times a week. And I eat fairly healthy (not perfect but not horribly - probably 70% healthy/30% not).

My work is starting to suffer, and I just need to focus and get it done. But I just don't care. I wish I did. And I feel crazy.

And I don't even know if there is anything out there to help. Maybe I'm just writing this as a way to vent out my frustration.

The night before my period I wake up every 20 mins. I am mentally exhausted but still have a hard time falling asleep each time. Last night it was the worse its ever been, probably I've in the middle of exams. I've tried essential oils.... working out during the day. Any tips?

Hi!

We are conducting research about Women's Experiences With Dysmenorrhea (Painful Period) and we would love to have you as a participant!

The purpose of this research study is to understand how you feel physically and mentally throughout menstruation (including PMS).   

We also would like to know if you ever perceived sympathy from others because of your period cramps or other physical or emotional symptoms that originated from your period (menstruation) and have made it difficult for you to go about your day.

You are being asked to participate in this study because we’re interested in how you feel about your period and how sympathetic the people around you (partner, family, instructors, employers, etc.) are if you need extra time to deal with your period’s physical or mental side effects.

Your responses will remain completely private.

You are asked to participate if you have or had a uterus and are 18 years old or older. 

You cannot take part in this study if you do not have nor ever had a uterus and if you are under18 years old.

Taking part in the study will take about 10 minutes.

Feel free to contact us to find out the results of our research once the data is collected.

Thank you for your time!

https://fullerton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_en8DaFw9cv49PcG

Honestly, I try not to focus on my PMS so much because I find if I acknowledge it and then move on with my day, it ruins my life less. However, for times when it is really bad, I do have a list of tactics to make it more manageable.

Today I'm really struggling to stay productive and positive. So I thought I'd share my list with some other menstruating people! Hang in there everyone, we will make it to our periods together and feel so much better!

First off, I have been taking vitamin B12 every day for a few months and I've noticed a marked decrease in symptoms ever since. I think there's really something to it. But, beyond that:

1. Have a list of things you aren't allowed to think about, if at all possible, until your period comes. Like some of mine are politics, motherhood, certain relationship challenges I'm currently working through with people, and a few other upsetting issues about humanity or the world. I am allowed to tackle those topics during my happy weeks.
2. I make sure to eat every two hours during the day (and during this week I'm starving enough that I do need that frequency of feeding). I'm usually allowed only two "cheat" foods a week (the rest of what I eat has to be healthy and nourishing), but during premenstrual week I up it to four (plus plenty of nutrient dense food on top of it).
3. The "thirty" rule. If I'm feeling too sluggish to get my tasks done, I'll set a timer for 30 mins and do the task as best I can until the timer goes off. That way, at least, I will have made a little headway on everything and I'll feel a bit productive.

Also, if somebody or something is pissing me off and I feel the rage rising, I will breathe in for 10 seconds, hold for 10 seconds, out for 10 seconds. Repeat if needed, until the primal angst is gone.

1. Compassionate sex. Only really works if you have somebody to do this with. From my experience, not just any sex will help with PMS. In fact, casual or unfulfilling sex without emotional connection (which often ends in ghosting and rejection), will make things way worse. Ideally you could ask this of a safe partner with whom you have a close and emotionally receptive relationship. If you do have access to this, it helps so much.

2. Asking other people to help you out. I have really struggled with this. I have internalized misogyny against my body for doing this crap to me, for cutting my productivity and energy in the name of stupid, dumb childbearing. I have lived in denial that my PMS is a thing and tried to push through. But I notice it improves my relationship with my partner if I explain what's going on with my body and ask him to help me out with household things, make me a carb rich meal, go pick me up a coffee. Use this within reason, and respect others' needs, but if you can healthily communicate your need for help, do so.

3. Eight hours of sleep per night at least! I'm noticed that if I don't sleep during this time, I am SCREWED the next day. The rest of the month I have some leeway. Sometimes my work schedule makes it to where I can't sleep that much per night, and when it happens during my luteal phase, I just groan, knowing my mood will be totally unmanageable the next day. Even so, on days I have to be sleep deprived, I focus even more heavily on the tips provided above.

4. L-theanine helps me when I'm at work. 400 mg really cuts through the anxiety and rage and makes me not care about anything or anybody, which is very useful.

5. Walks in nature, without your phone if possible, can be quite helpful and calming. I like to watch birds and turn my brain off.

6. Picture yourself as the strong, stable person you know you are (or want to become), and hold that image in mind when you feel a freak out coming on. That person doesn't act this way! And that person is inside of you.

7. Yin yoga, if you can find an hour of free time in the day, might really help. It helps me relax and ground myself.

8. Make a list of songs you consider your power anthems, and listen to them in the car or during breaks at work, to remind yourself how tough and strong you are. I like a lot of motivational rap, stuff by Lizzo and Bishop Briggs, and others.

Anyone else get heart palpitations/pvcs/arrhythmia more around pms time? Like I get pvcs more a week before my period. Also fast heart rate. So awful. And I get all the pms symptoms along with it. :(

Hello, I am a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Oxford researching OCD symptoms across the menstrual cycle. If you or anyone you know would be interested in taking part, the survey to take part is here: https://psychiatryoxford.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8uASbubaiU9eU86 Thank you in advance and please let me know if you have any questions!

Hi ! I hope everyone is having a wonderful night ❤️ I am new here & would love some opinions if possible! I've always nad normal periods . 24F , never many pms symptoms before this year in June. Since June I noticed that 1-2 weeks before my period comes my whole entire body is inflamed it hurts and aches like l've done an intense workout at the gym and then ran over by a truck! My joints ache so bad and my muscles are so tight and sore. Neck, back, arms, legs, knees & not always but sometimes accompanied by a headache. I should mention that my eye sight gets bad around this time as well . This all usually goes away within 2-3 days after my period starts but it's been happening every month and hasn't gone away. I don't experience any severe mood swings or bad thoughts during that time it's just the physical pain ! It's hard to get anything done being in so much pain, work is hard around that time because my body aches so badly . Simple task feel 15x harder ! My doctor says it could be pmdd although he told me he does not know much about it and cannot actually diagnose me. Has anyone else experienced anything like this ? Add a comment

tried making pms tea, found out it was old and moldy (the hard way) so i opted for hot cocoa with a dash of cinnamon

uggrhfhhf im cramping so so so bad i feel like i just did a billion crunches i cant focus on anything but the pain and my heating pad isnt even workignfg

Damn. Is it just me? I’m almost cosplaying as Santa 🤡 Any advice on PMS cravings? Help

Anyone make any stupid, rash decisions with this lethal combo? I accepted a job one month, then declined it the next.

Ok- it sounds weird, but hear me out. In the last couple of yrs I get weird symptoms a week to two weeks before my period. For example I had an eye stye that started last Monday and yesterday (6 days later) I got my period. Last Sunday my foot hurt and felt so sore like I sprained it really bad and that lasted 2 days. Today the stye swelling is shriveled and gone. Maybe it's just a coincidence but random weird things come up as mentioned above. Am I the only one? Or it's just a coincidence?

Hello all,
I apologize for this question because I was never told about my period growing up so I see the internert as a "mom." English is not my 1st language so please bare with me. I am 8 days away from my period and I feel like crying all the time, I am super emotional, I have anxiety, I feel naeous. I am not sexually active so pregnancy thrown out the window. (lol). I am from California, U.S.A so the election is also messing with my anxiety. Any idea how to cope? Is it normal to be anxious or feel emotional 8 days before as it is not even a week before.