Help with severe PMS...

aZombieKitten · 2014-11-11T15:52:14+00:00

Hormonal birth control does not cause weight gain. It just increases your appetite, and it's up to you whether you eat more food or not. If you eat your normal amount of food, you won't gain weight out of nowhere. There is some slight water retention, but that goes away after a bit because it's only temporary while your body adjusts to the new hormones.

But, if you're hellbent on not taking the pill, I'd talk to your gyno anyhow about how extreme your PMS symptoms are. You may need some kind of sedative (like valerian root, which is a supplement) to calm you down.

wibblezibble · 2014-11-11T14:45:23+00:00

I'm fairly certain that a primary reason why women gain weight on birth control pills is not because of the birth control pills. Historically, many women started birth control when they left for college...which is a time in a person's life when many people gain weight (Freshman 15) anyway. I'd try birth control pills and no matter what, see your doctor. 2 weeks is a lot of time to be having severe PMS each month.

jumpthroughfire · 2014-11-11T16:43:26+00:00

I don't like being on the pill, for other reasons than gain weight (it makes me emotionally retarded), so I have had to deal with some PMS issues. What helps for me is to work out regularly, at least 3 times a week every week, but only stretching during the days when the PMS is at it's worst. Also, drink water the days you feel moody/bad, and make sure you take supplements (vitamins etc.) regularly. And be kind to yourself, you might need a bit lower tempo the days you are hormonally imbalanced. Good luck!

morganlane · 2014-11-11T13:51:10+00:00

Honestly, try hormonal contraception. You might have to try a few before you find what works best with your body. Just because your friends can't control what they put in their mouths doesn't mean the same has to apply to you.

lulubunnie · 2014-11-11T21:55:29+00:00

They just added Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) to the DSM V for a reason.

Please consult someone and ask if you meet these symptoms:

"Unlike PMS, PMDD symptoms are very severe, completely disrupting the lives of women affected by it. Women diagnosed with PMDD usually present 5 or more of the following symptoms:

Very depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness

Marked anxiety,tension, feelings of being “on edge”

Marked mood shifts (e.g., suddenly feeling tearful orextremely sensitive)

Persistent or marked anger or irritability or increased interpersonal conflicts

Decreased interest in usual activities (e.g., work,school,friends, hobbies)

Difficulty concentrating

Fatigue,tiredness, loss of energy

Marked change in appetite, overeating, food cravings

Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or sleeping too much

Feeling out of control or overwhelmed

Physical symptoms such as breast tenderness or swelling, headaches, joint or muscle pain, “bloating”, weight gain"

Source: http://www.mooddisorders.ca/faq/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd

EDIT: To add to my comment, some women actually report mood elevation when taking the NON-SYNTHETIC form of estrogen (aka 17-beta Estradiol NOT Ethinyl Estradiol (the common component found in combined hormonal contraceptives)).

I can provide more information if the above interests you. But ultimately consulting your doctor is the first step in a healthy direction.

Q-nicorn · 2014-11-11T14:24:58+00:00

I'm going to see a doctor today for this, and other related issues. I know exactly what you're talking about, it's like something just takes over and every little thing is a major trigger for bitching and whining.

I suspect a hormonal imbalance, for myself at least, as that point the cycle is around the time ovulation occurs (or if there's hormonal problems it may actually not be occurring). Estrogen and progesterone do a dance with each other through the cycle and if something is interrupting that it can throw everything off track. Only way to find out for sure is to see a doctor.

You could even start tracking and charting cycles and basal body temps (this is something many women have to do when they're trying to conceive). This way you will at least know what to expect every cycle and if temps don't rise and fall the way they should be then you will have a good indicator of hormonal imbalances.

Sorry for writing a book but it's something I've been reading up on for a while, hopefully it can help you in some way. Our bodies can be pretty tricky at times.

edit and update: The Dr suspected a hormonal imbalance and is going to have me take hormonal birth control for 2 months to correct it.

moggymojo · 2014-11-11T23:32:02+00:00

I have the same problem.

I learned to track my period so I could reliably know why I was suddenly angry/sad/cold etc.

I let my husband know - hey it is the time of Womanly Doom - if I seem pissed off it is not at you.

I have an iron clad rule that I do not complain/pick a fight/ have a 'lets talk'/drop hints/make 'suggestions' or offer 'helpful criticism' to my husband during the time I am methed out on hormones. I also refuse to make ANY big decisions, because I am not in my right mind.

Everything gets postponed - if something is genuinely worth getting stroppy about it will still be worth it next week when I am sane again. Well that is my theory, it has never been truly tested because I have yet to find the thing that mattered enough to get stroppy about while NOT under the influence of the crazy juice.

Self care:

I usually watch/read something comforting/uplifting so I am more inclined to happy cries, or something to get entertained-angry-ranty about - directing superfluous emotions at the TV or a book is a lot safer than pointing them at innocent bystanders.

And basically I wait it out....

I don't know if you have ever done hallucinogens, but things can get very intense or very unpleasant and it is helpful to keep in mind that this is an artificially induced frame of mind and IT WILL PASS.

Feeling batshit insane/angry/irritated/insecure etc is fine, so long as you don't behave that way and inflict it on others.

dencrypt · 2014-11-11T14:41:27+00:00

You could have PMD. There are few treatments, but Diazepam helps somewhat for my SO when she goes downunder. There's basically nothing your BF can do for you - as you say. Just accept what is and try not make it worse.

Bakerofpie · 2014-11-11T22:01:52+00:00

I gained 40 lbs when I first started hormonal BC (I'm 5'2 and weighed 85lbs, so some of it was for the best) because I never had an appetite and it caused a HUGE gain in my appetite. I wasn't accustomed to watching what I ate or not giving in to cravings because I never had to, and suddenly I'm putting on all this weight. It doesn't make you gain weight, it makes you want to eat constantly. I would suggest starting now with watching your calorie intake and paying close attention to what you're eating. I could have saved myself that extra 20 lbs I had to work off later if I would have done that.

lollipopsnsunshine · 2014-11-12T00:12:22+00:00

Look into birth control. It literally saved my relationship with my boyfriend and my parents. I refer to those days as my bitch days because I was so horrible.

IrisBlue7 · 2014-11-12T01:34:31+00:00

I used to have AWFUL pms. Like, scary to be around and the worst part was that I knew I was going bananas and I just couldn't get myself to stop. I Was actually diagnosed with PCOS almost 2 years ago because of other problems and got my hormone levels tested and almost all of them were irregular. Started correct medication and got a mirena (I can't take birth control pills because of migraines) and now I'm a lot better. I can still sometimes feel a little out of control, but it never is as harsh or severe or as long.

I think it wouldn't hurt to visit a doctor. It may not be pcos or anything, but they might be able to help you figure things out and get back to normal. I can tell you from experience that even just having one hormone outta whack can change so much.

vintagegirlgame · 2014-11-12T08:23:59+00:00

If you have problems with cramps drink cinnamon tea (really just hot water with cinnamon or a cinnamon stick and maybe some honey). It can stop cramps almost instantly!

newgirl3 · 2014-11-15T18:44:42+00:00

I am on contraception and still get PMS. I find be very active helps me, I joined the gym and such, and even though when I do feel like crying and lying in bed when everything hurts, I force myself to go to the gym and run 3K or something similar. That always helps me :)

ivorypeony · 2014-11-11T16:30:56+00:00

I know this will sound kooky but I started taking a brand of tea by Yogi called "Women's Tea" and it helped my PMS so much!

I totally get the feeling of hormonal drugs making you nuts. I took clomid to get pregnant and I was a total monster on it, it's like someone is abducting your brain!

Talk to your boyfriend/husband, tell him what's going on. Tell him you're sorry and don't want to be mean and snappy, and ask him to help you. My husband was so sweet when I told him how the clomid made me feel. I'd wig out then apologize and he'd just hold me and tell me how bad he felt that I was dealing with such crazy emotions. I knew I was being a psycho bitch and because I warned him, my husband forgave me and soothed me. If it gets worse, please go speak to your doctor and find something less impactful. Copper IUDS are super safe as far as birth control goes and they don't fuck with your hormones!

Masokitti · 2014-11-11T15:09:03+00:00

Slightly different but relevant situation for me. I've been mostly on the pill since I was 15. I was put on it for heavy and painful periods. I've been on a lot of different ones but the cramping and breakthrough bleeding was just getting worse. We decided I'd come off and we'd use condoms for 2 months.

Right now I'm in a lot of pain and can barely lift my arms because of breast pain. When I mentioned it to my mother she knew exactly what I was talking about. She said she takes a high dose of starflower oil daily. If she doesn't, she's like a crazy woman. Having researched, I'll be getting evening primrose oil to try.

I'd go to a doctor just to check things out, but there a lot of things you can try.

eatplaycrush · 2014-11-11T16:01:10+00:00

This is me. To a T. Or was should I say now that I have it figured out pretty well. My SO hates when the time comes, he hates the two weeks before mostly actually because that's when I apparently forget I'm a person because I am a small demon.

BC is going to work differently with everyone. I could not take any type of pill I've ever tried. They were a nightmare. Eventually I ended up getting Mirena just to help eliminate any pregnancy. What helped my outbursts has been lifting, diet, and truly understanding that I am PMSing. Mine have always been regular so I started to track when they were and setting an alarm just about at 2 weeks before to let myself know to prepare not to turn into a shit show. It also seems as if Mirena HAS helped because they've gotten lighter and lighter to the point I barely have one so in turn I've noticed being moody has been taken down a notch.

FleetingWish · 2014-11-11T21:57:33+00:00

Talk to your doctor about birth control. Tell her you are having bad mood swings and that you would like to maintain your weight. There are many different birth control methods and finding the one that works for you might be a little trial and error, but if you tell your doctor your goals, she will probably be able to steer you in the right direction.

homo_homini_lupus · 2014-11-11T15:22:13+00:00

True Calm with Valerian root

Title	Help with severe PMS...
Author	crazy_PMS_lady
Upvotes	8
Comments	26
Date	November 11, 2014 10:48 AM UTC (11 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/RedPillWomen
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/RedPillWomen/comments/2lyew5/help_with_severe_pms/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/RedPillWomen/help-with-severe-pms.85014 https://theredarchive.com/post/85014

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