PMT

[MantaRay]

Has anyone found that PMT is worse after having babies? Or as they get older? Or with different types of contraception?

Maybe it's just because I went so long without AF with pg and bfing, but I now find PMT so much worse than I remember. I would love to not feel so angry each month and was wondering whether it was just my age, or something that just happens when you've had babies, or whether maybe I could minimise it by changing contraception. Any ideas?

[AngelPunks]

I'd look at both contraception and maybe going to see a naturopath to work on hormone levels etc.

I found being on the pill (for the whole few months this year) I had horrible PMT which is one reason I went off it.

[AnyDream]

My PMT was marvellously better when I went on a monophasic low-dose combined pill. I felt "normal" for the time I was on it, in comparison to horrible horrible PMT that i had when I was younger.

The other thing that i have found to be MOST effective in balancing mood, concentration, stamina, etc during the week prior to my period, is a healthy low-GI diet. It even helps prevent symptoms like swelling and aching of legs and ankles. Worth a try!!

[C~Q]

OMG yes!! I never had PMT before darling treasure #3 and now for the week before AF I become this cranky, paranoid witch. It's awful and i've booked an app at the Drs on Tues to see what she says about it.

MD - Do you remember which pill it was you were on?

[kelebek]

I am definitely more moodier than I have ever been since having DS, not sure if it's PMT or something else. I am off to the dr's this week to see if I can get some answers.

[MantaRay]

Wow, looks like it's not just me! I hope you get some answers. The naturopath sounds like a good idea too.

[AnyDream]

CQ - I was on Microgynon 20ED. Might not be the miracle cure for everyone but it worked for me.

[widdly]

jIm another one who is evil for a week before her period! I blame it on the pill. I have never found one that works well for me without awful side effects. The one im currently on gives me HUGE SORE boobs for 3 weeks, awful moodiness for a week and nausea for the week of my period. It does however, improve my acne.....cant win!

I think DH will be getting the snip in his holidays mid next year so I can get rid of the pill forever

[aussienic]

I was never one to get this till now.. and man do I get grumpy. but I get it on day 1 and 2 ..

[C~Q]

Ok, i'm not on the pill (no need to be lol!) so does going on the pill make PMT better or worse? Or does it depend on whether you can find the right one?

[MantaRay]

Personally I think it makes it worse (although from MD's posts it seems that it might depend on the pill).

[AnyDream]

CQ - yes it most definitely depends on which one's right for you. I had other pills that turned me into a raving screaming crying-in-public lunatic woman. This one was just right!

There are all sorts of new ones on the market, your dr should be able to work out, based on your main symptoms, which one is possibly better for you, then it's a case of trying it for a couple of months. If it's not right, go back and change it again!!

BTW I'm not advocating the PILL ahead of other therapies, I just mentioned it because MR's post asked about contraception. You can do wonderful things to help your PMT throught diet, meditation, massage, TCM, acupuncture, herbs, etc. The more in balance you are, the less noticeable the symptoms will be, kwim?

[satya]

I think my PMT got worse as I got older. Before I started to get pregnant last year I would go psycho for about a week before AF was due. My poor DF. I was OK for about 6 weeks after giving birth then went on I think Microgynon & off I went again but it was all the time. Got off that. Tried another combined pill - same thing. I'm now on the minipill & I'm pretty normal all the time now. I think for me progesterone evens me out. Best of luck working out what's doing it to you.