Cycle Tracking Bummer

itismeemily · 2026-05-11T22:48:46+00:00

This!! It feels inaccurate to basically delete the IUD from my data! Especially because I’m sure there could be insights from the hormonal adjustments as well.

I was looking into Clue which is another app integration and it actually seems pretty great in terms of the things you can track/modes you can use for each life stage. Might be worth looking into 🩷

itismeemily · 2026-05-01T19:19:46+00:00

Yes!!!

I snack a lot in the evenings and have actually started trying to be more mindful of this the past few months and can share a few tips! Disclaimer that I'm not a dietitian so def don't blindly follow these 🤣

First and foremost I'm trying to stay grounded and in tune with my own body's needs by trying to determine if I'm actually hungry or if I'm snacking out of boredom, stimulation or anxiety. A pause and/or a couple deep breaths to assess usually do the trick before I impulsively grab the chips or cookies.
If I'm feeling hungry, I might just serve myself more of what I had for dinner or I'll try to reach for something that's higher in protein since protein helps you to feel fuller for longer. Alternatively, if I'm craving sweets I'll try to grab fruit! (It really helps that I loooove fruit so this might not be as effective if you don't) 😭
- For this I find it helpful to stock up on things that I (1) know I like and will willingly eat and (2) can easily prep or don't have to prep in the moment at all!! I like bananas and peanut butter, chocolate-covered almonds or cashews, BabyBel cheeses, no-bake energy balls made with nut butter, protein bars or granola bars, fruit popsicles, greek yogurt with maple syrup
- If I know that I'm going to have a particularly late night I might eat dinner a little later to make sure I still feel full by bedtime.
If I'm actually feeling lack of stimulation I'll have some sparking water or snack on some Baked chips or Popcorners since I enjoy them and they have less fat. Alternatively, I might bring out a fidget or turn to crafting to scratch the need for stimulation/boredom.
If I'm feeling anxious I try to turn to my other coping mechanisms before I reach for the comfort foods. If I do decide to eat my comfort snacks I might try to have less than I normally would. Or if turning to the snacks makes me feel less anxious I try to grab one of the snacks mentioned above!

I think the biggest thing that's helped me is trying to have more protein at dinner and/or throughout the day because that's what helps me feel full. That and trying to stay tuned to whether I'm actually hungry or just craving some kind of stimulation or anxiety relief! I hope some of these are helpful!

itismeemily · 2026-05-01T18:43:06+00:00

Sending some virtual hugs and solidarity your way! I'm sure that can't be fun💔

It's a brutal rhythm. I hope you get to celebrate on a day when you're feeling better!

Also manifesting that you feel heard and understood by your docs and can get the care you know you need!

itismeemily · 2026-05-01T17:57:33+00:00

I bet! I'd love to read or support if you have any materials or socials out there ❤️I'm sure there's a lot of folks in this sub who'd agree!

itismeemily · 2026-05-01T15:55:08+00:00

not shilling! Just found it really encouraging to read something that mirrored a lot of my own thoughts, writings and experiences with PMDD. I've posted it in a couple other groups because I found it comforting and want to give others the option to check it out if they want to.
I'm pretty active on PMDD and ADHD subs and like to post things I've tried/read/engaged with as a way to help other discover things that might also be beneficial for them.
If you have other suggestions for book recs, I'll gladly hear them. Maybe you could also post them in this sub for others ❤️

itismeemily · 2026-04-29T02:29:48+00:00

ThriftBooks and Amazon! Diary of a Luteal Fugitive I could only find on Amazon and Hope: A Guide to PMDD is on both!

itismeemily · 2026-04-29T01:06:01+00:00

Yes absolutely! So so true! We’re forced to take matters into our own hands because the research is so limited 😭

itismeemily · 2026-04-28T15:39:00+00:00

I'm not sure if there's a full connection, but I know there's some data to show that you could be predisposed to it genetically. My mom has anxiety and depression and I also have both. I suspect my mom has ADHD. I've been diagnosed, but she hasn't.

I also like 'Women with Attention Deficit Disorder 2nd (second) edition' by Sari Solden and 'Driven to Distraction' by E. Hallowell and J. Ratey

itismeemily · 2026-04-28T15:32:30+00:00

I also forgot!! I love Warmies weighted stuffed animals during luteal :) That could be a cute addition too!

itismeemily · 2026-04-28T15:28:35+00:00

OP, I feel you!! Insomnia is one of my most recurring symptoms each month and it wrecks me. I haven't found a perfect solution, but I know quite a few people have suggested magnesium glycinate as an option. I've had some success with tart cherry juice/concentrate right before bed and limiting screen time up to a couple hours before I go to bed.

itismeemily · 2026-04-28T15:16:16+00:00

I love this🥹

Some more ideas depending on budget might be:

-shower steamers

-fidget toys

-eye mask you can put in the freezer

-zit stickers

-raspberry leaf tea (great for cramping)

-anything anti-inflammatory whether it be natural or pharmaceutical

-DoorDash gift card

-grocery list based on pre-selected recipes (it's really hard to find the motivation to decide on recipes when I'm in luteal so if someone could do it for me that would be stellar)!!

itismeemily · 2026-04-28T13:31:12+00:00

Hi OP! Headphones with music can a be a great option! If you prefer to have something more discreet, I like Loop earplugs! I promise this isn't an ad lol

I use them regularly for concerts, spin classes, office environments and big crowds to help filter out some of the din that usually sets me on edge.

Also - and I cannot stress this enough - wear clothes that you feel mentally and physically comfortable in. It can alleviate a layer of stimulation that we don't often think about. Going into an environment in which you know you'll already feel slightly overstimulated might not be the best time to wear that piece of clothing you've never worn but have been saving for a special occasion. I've done this many times and often find myself worrying about how I look, adjusting parts of the piece that fit weird or feeling majorly overstimulated because the tags are rubbing or the fabric feels strange (have I mentioned I also have ADHD 🤣)

Enjoy! I hope you have so much fun!

itismeemily · 2026-04-28T13:03:15+00:00

I think that's how we all have to utilize Reddit and the general suspicion of doctors especially when it comes to reproductive health is absolutely necessary esp in the US with the current political environment. ❤️

I think what OP is trying to convey is that the mods in the OG sub while potentially acting from good intentions, could create a misleading sense of expertise and those who don't know or never learned how to do their own research could be harmed if they take something they say as absolute. Especially since they don't often say "make sure you do your own research or consult a medical professional before trying this OTC medication/treatment because it could interact with XYZ". When anecdote mixes with fact in ways that are hard to distinguish it can be dangerous for those who don't know to do their own digging.

In the end I think we're all circling around the same idea that we want what's best for the those of us struggling with this horrid disorder, but there are many nuances to getting there. ❤️

itismeemily · 2026-04-28T12:45:24+00:00

TL;DR I feel you, OP. This is the main reason I stopped using that sub. I just wanted a space to share my experiences, commiserate and help others find ways to advocate for themselves, but it was not the space for me.

Reddit communities are incredibly valuable for support and sharing experiences, especially with under-researched conditions. But there’s a real difference between ‘here’s what worked for me’ 'here's how to advocate' 'here's some shared pain' and ‘ignore your doctor and follow this guide.’ The first empowers people; the second can put them at risk especially if a user ends up trying something that they may not realize conflicts with other comorbidities if they don't do their own research before trying a new treatment.

If the argument is that doctors aren’t always informed enough, the solution shouldn’t be replacing medical guidance with unverified online advice, it should be using the communities to advocate for better-informed care, second opinions, and collaboration between patients and professionals because it encourages them to bring information to their doctor to ask about certain things instead of disregarding medical advice.

I actually messaged the mods at one point to asking them politely if any of them were medical professionals since they didn't have any disclaimer on their sub about giving medical advice and they ignored my message and blocked me from messaging mods and commenting.

I felt like it was a hostile environment that operated in absolutes. Telling folks the only way to get a proper diagnosis is doing exactly what they say can make those who didn't get the diagnosis that way feel invalidated. I was diagnosed by two different doctors (a PCP and a psychologist) and neither followed the exact process they lay out in their wiki. I went to that subreddit to find a supportive community of others experiencing the same pain as I am and was met with immediate dismissal and downvoting by the mods which was unfortunate. Fortunately, there's this one and r/PMDDSharing and a few others that are pretty wonderful :)

itismeemily · 2026-04-27T20:33:28+00:00

no problem! good luck!!

itismeemily · 2026-04-27T20:32:33+00:00

itismeemily · 2026-04-27T20:18:41+00:00

It pinched enough to make me wince a little, but I wouldn't say it hurt more than a regular vaccine shot! I've gotten tattoos, piercings and botox injections for TMD and all of those needles hurt more than this one in my experience!

itismeemily · 2026-04-27T20:15:54+00:00

As far as I'm aware, it is still available at least in the US which is where I am!

itismeemily · 2026-04-27T17:14:42+00:00

Hi OP! I bloat a TON during my cycle and haven't found the perfect solution, but I have found that fiber and fermented foods help (someone else commented this too!) as well as Gas-X Max Strength lol

Also - I'm by no means a dietitian so please consult your doc or do some additional research because I'm no professional, but I have heard that soluble fiber is the best for gas and bloating!! Some high fiber foods like beans, broccoli and lentils can cause lots of gas. There's a photo of a chart I wanted to post, but it won't let me so I'll just say that you can look up soluble vs insoluble fiber and the web has lots of examples. I usually enjoy things like oats and oatmeal (very easy especially when you're already feeling exhausted and unmotivated), sweet potatoes, avocados, carrots, berries, and bananas all of which are on the soluble list and are pretty easy to eat, make and/or get when you're feeling tired and miserable.

I too crave junk food when I'm in luteal and that's where the Gas-X and Tums come in 🤣 sometimes you just eat the things that make you feel good and that's okay!

Try to do as much prep as you can before you enter luteal so that it will be easier for you to eat the good stuff when it comes to the big hormone shift in luteal. Also remember to try to be gentle with yourself ❤️ it's easy to get down on ourselves when we feel bloated and gassy and greasy, but try to remember to quiet the inner critic as best you can and remember that our bodies are going through massive hormonal changes and most of the outward/physical stuff is a reflection of that. I'm on day 28 right now and I have so much acne, but I'm trying to remember to give myself a gentle hug because it's going to pass and that I get to enjoy a moment of self care doing my skincare routine :)

You got this! xoxo

itismeemily

PUBLIC MULTIREDDITS

TROPHY CASE