I have seen many women who tell me that they feel like a completely different person in the days before their period, suffering with severe anxiety and depression. Simple tasks like the school run or making dinner becomes impossible and they feel so down and depressed. But once they get their period they are fine again...
So, what is happening here?
Could it be a hormonal problem called PMDD (pre menstrual dysphoric disorder)?
Progesterone is the hormone that is made after we ovulate and it’s an amazing little hormone as it helps us feel calm and reduces feelings of anxiety. It does this by making GABA - the anti anxiety holy grail. However, for women with PMDD, instead of GABA making us feel calm, it actually increases anxiety and low mood.
The medical treatment for PMDD is hormonal birth control to stop ovulation and the production of hormones (however, for so many women this can also affect mood). Anti depressants are the other option that work well for PMDD.
Our approach in the clinic for PMDD, is using supplements like magnesium, vitamin B6 and also an AMAZING herb called St.Johns Wort, which is used all over the world with depression. We use this herb in conjunction with 15+ other herbs all targeting hormones and mood. I also look at diet too - working on reducing high histamine foods like dairy from cows milk and red wine.
Supplements in this post:
Personailsed Herbal Tonic (the prescription of herbs requires a short consult) Book Here.
If you need a little more personalised advice on this, don’t be afraid to get in touch!
I also have an online Seminar 'Making Up With Your Hormones' and I chat all things periods + PMS in this. ❤️❤️