[Hopeless Dork]

I have been seeing all these commercials for medicines to treat pmdd... and am beginning to wonder if that is what I have... or If I just am typical, when my mood is altered before and sometimes during my period.

I notice increased sensitivity to EVERYTHING on the days leading up to my period and occsionally while I am actually on it.

I will sit and cry during reality tv shows, commercials, I will get so touchy with everything my boyfriend says and take everything the wrong way, usually overreacting. Then later a few days after my period thinking about what happened rationally and wondering how in the world I was driven to be so upset by something so little.

I was just wondering how much emotional wreck is par for the course with all the hormone changes during menstural cycle and how much is a problem that might be worth seeking a doctor about?

Some details:

I am not on birth control
I have a very precitable cycle
No heavy cramping, or terrible physical symptoms
Period short in duration

Some emotions had during period/days before that are almost never had the rest of the month:

Irrational - will become upset over something that makes no sense to be upset about
Depressed- will want to stay in bed and sulk , and do, large portions of the day when on my period. Will keep the room dark and not engage socially.
Poor impulse control - If i break my diet ever, its during my period or the day before
Crying- for very little reason or no reason at all

[p3375]

Sometimes I go nuts 2 days b4 and a couple after I start. I mean, totally nuts! Other cycles, not so much.
Keep meaning to see if diet control helps (no simple sugars, lots of veg.s, no ice cream and such) but havn't really been able to go all month w/o breakin down and munching some hi carb, hi fat desert ... oh well
P

[WildChild]

I think diet has a lot to do with this. Foods are chemicals and do affect other chemicals in your body. There has been a fair amount written on this. I still think one of the best books on the subject, although it's getting a little dated, is, The Woman's Advantage Diet. It explains how your hormone levels vary through your cycle, how to identify those different phases and how the differing hormone levels are affect your body's responses to foods. Then it provides guidelines for adjusting your diet.

For example, when you are pre-menstrual, your progesterone and estogen levels are high. Progesterone is a hormone that can act to store fats and increase your appetite. Eating protien during the premenstrual phase helps counteract this because progesterone selectively metabolizes protein and your body will then burn it about 10% more efficiently. It has to be low fat proteins so the fat won't get stored.

Estrogen has a different effect. The effects aren't just on how your body uses what you feed it but hormones also affect your mood and responses. Getting educated about this can help you better deal with it. For myself I find knowing what may be causing a response helps me to better control it.

[Hopeless Dork]

You know, I might just need to start monitering my protein intake better. I have been a vegetarian for years but I don't recall having these emotional cycles before I was. I am usually careful to make sure I am making up for my lack of meat with other protein sources... but sometimes I am lazy and have a poor diet, low calorie, but low nutrient as well. I know for a fact that this current cycle my diet has been poor...

Ahhh ty for that suggestion, I'll look into both the book and making sure I'm giving my body enough of what it needs.

[Isabellacat]

Good info WC....I just started my period and have been really sensitive this whole week. Yesterday felt really bad all day.Reading this thread really helps.

I'm also vegetarian and I find taking supplement vitamins with my meal very helpful at times. Iron is an important thing.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

I agree, dieting and walking, it seems to disturb things and make life a little more balanced with walking don't ask why.

Off course women are more emotional before that time of the month and their thought pattern can be out of wack, not all but definately some

I've seen a few people here get emotional and then confirm it's almost that time of the month

Sucks, being a woman, I keep saying that and I'm sticking to it On the flip side, never mind, better shhh it's not the sex thread

[LanaBear]

You know, I've been wondering about the same thing! Well, for me of course, not you. But I literally feel I lost my mind at times during my period.

But then I second guess myself because I'm thinking maybe I just think that because of the commercials and all the posts on this board about it.

But, I'm in the same boat. My annual exam is in April, so I'll probably mention it to him and see what he says.