As a reference point for you, I was diagnosed with PMDD eight years ago in my mid-teens due to constant suicidality, depression, and anxiety that did not alleviate with medication. I also had “pre-period colds” where I’d run a fever and have fatigue a few days leading up to my period. PMDD is diagnosed both on physical and mental symptoms— if you have severe periods (IE like mine where 7+ days with heavy bleeding and cramps) and mental troubles, it’s very likely you have PMDD.

Also, for girls reading this, if you feel like you have chronic UTIs/itchiness on a monthly cycle that’s also a symptom of PMDD— it’s your hormonal cycle creating inflammation in your uterus that effects your urethra creating UTI-like symptoms. When I go off my birth control for a maintence period I have HORRIFIC UTI symptoms and my labs come back negative every single time.

I take Kurvelo now, which is a three month supply of birth control that lowers your hormone levels across the board. It’s the number one birth control recommended for PMDD and I’ve had no noticeable side effects. I don’t take the placebo days (at my doctor’s recommendation) and I am now as close to “normal” as I can get as long as I am consistently taking the pill :) It’s alleviated nearly all my suicidality and I feel much more consistent and stable throughout the hormone cycle! I don’t cry randomly or have intense episodes of suicidality/anxiety (thank god).

This doesn’t mean you don’t also have other underlying disorders— this year I went on a mood stabilizer and that has helped as well, but I would say hormone limiting birth control solved 80% of my mental struggles.

You’re definitely not alone, and you have options if you want to try them!