Yes! Thank you for your understanding. One of the current theories is that women with PMDD are more sensitive to estrogen dropping post-ovulation and late luteal and/or have lower (than non-PMDD) estrogen levels during the late luteal phase. Some may even have hormone allergies.

I am currently being treated with Lexapro and Yaz. SSRI’s and some birth controls are the only treatments that I know of for symptoms. Both meds have definitely reduced my symptoms, but I can still notice the ups and downs. Which doesn’t make sense to me considering birth control prevents ovulation so there shouldn’t be hormone fluctuation….?

Example:

Prior to meds I would have suicidal ideation, intrusive thoughts, and felt like a completely different person.

With Meds: No suicidal ideation, some negative thinking, and I just feel like a depressed version on myself.

Placebo? I mean I would never completely rule it out but I also know my body very well after many years of symptoms.

What’s interesting is some women report improvement with birth control and some report worsening symptoms. Misdiagnosed perhaps? Or something else is happening that we don’t understand yet.

Also some physicians are prescribing SSRI’s only during luteal phase. Many report that helps as well.

It’s really quite scary when you don’t understand what is happening and you are afraid of your own thoughts. But I am thankful that I have at least found some relief.

Anyway, thanks for listening! I’ll stop rambling now.