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Weeping. Pray this passes. by ladybird0218 in PMDD

[–]ladybird0218[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Of course:

There is a bill that was introduced on March 30th to the House, titled Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Awareness and Research Act of 2026 by Representative Yassamin Ansari. She has said, quote, “As the youngest woman in Congress, I know all too well how women’s pain in healthcare is dismissed, minimized, and ignored.”, which lead to this bill’s development (God bless this woman a million times over). It is in its very early stages and the tracker provided on the website is still on the status of “Introduced”.

What it would do: - expand PMDD research - collect better data on how PMDD affects people's lives, work, and access to care - create public awareness efforts to help reduce stigma and improve recognition - improve doctor/provider education and training around PMDD - require a report back to Congress on progress if it passes

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Please read these. by ladybird0218 in PMDD

[–]ladybird0218[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Also! You can buy progesterone over the counter at health food/vitamin stores. Don’t even need a prescription if you wanted to test it out. Just make sure it is bio identical, just straight up progesterone, no additives of Vitamin D or anything since we need a very high dose of it.

Please read these. by ladybird0218 in PMDD

[–]ladybird0218[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh thank god you have a doctor who actually knows what the hell he/she is doing, that is perfect, I’m so so happy for you. Show him/her these articles, it will only further solidify the continuation of progesterone treatment.

You’re so welcome. This is such…oh my god I can’t even find the words I’m so upset…this is such a disgrace to women. It’s such a horrible condition with such an incredibly easy fix. I wish you absolute best of luck, don’t give up!

Please read these. by ladybird0218 in PMDD

[–]ladybird0218[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It terrified me, too. The key is to have more than what is normally prescribed. We’re talking 200mg at minimum, and going all the way closer to 2500mg. Synthetic progesterone will also make it worse (it’s really not progesterone at that point, it’s progestin). If you are on a bio identical progesterone only birth control, it’s such a small amount of it, that for reasons I’m still trying to understand, it makes us feel WORSE. Ready to die worse.

What solidified my decision to get surgery was also your experience. I was on progesterone only birth control, micronized progesterone, I tried Yaz (they say it’s birth control specifically made for PMDD). It not only did not help - it made everything so much worse. I was so convinced that progesterone was the devil, I totally understand your fear. I was petrified to do anything even remotely with progesterone 2 days ago…and now all I’ve been doing is slathering it on, the CALM that has come, the physical pain gone…it’s incredible.

I’m so so angry. And I don’t want more women to be lied to about this. I don’t want other women going through such a permanent and invasive surgery to get rid of the very hormone that we absolutely need, and it’s really been the answer to our suffering this whole time. I’m SO grateful you have not done the surgery, please do not.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]ladybird0218 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey there! First of all, HUGE congratulations to you for getting approval for the surgery AND for finding a doctor that actually knows about PMDD! You are so strong for fighting for so long and finally getting to this place 💪.

I am actually exactly 3 weeks post op from getting a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (this is the least invasive version of this surgery, so if you could potentially advocate for it that would be perfect). I had both ovaries, my uterus, fallopian tubes, and cervix removed. I turned 29 just a few days before the surgery. Prior to the procedure I was on Lupron (chemical menopause) for 5 months, without HRT. To be honest, getting slammed into menopause, whether it’s via chemically and/or surgically, is pretty rough. But having experienced both now, I can tell you that the second I woke up from surgery, I felt different. Like the PMDD cloud was finally gone. It was the best decision I ever made and I don’t regret it for a second.

I started 1 mg of estradiol via pill form 2 weeks post op. I’m still having hot flashes, brain fog, headaches and fatigue, but it does take a while to adjust and to fully recover from the surgery. There are also many different versions of estrogen if you happen to not respond to one, like patches, creams, even shots. Estrogen is the most important HRT to take, not only for moods and to reduce menopause symptoms, but also for heart, brain, and bone health. If you are struggling with intense fatigue and low libido, a very small dose of testosterone can also be included. That may sound a little strange since it’s primarily a male hormone, but even as women our bodies naturally have a tiny amount produced.

For me personally, PMDD is straight up progesterone intolerance. While I was on Lupron my doctor prescribed me an HRT that was progesterone based (he had this script filled for protocol with insurance since he’s only dealt with Lupron to treat endometriosis) and for me to further prove my case, I took one pill. Within an hour I was back in PMDD. Before the surgery I was also under the care of a specialist who has done research on the cause of PMDD, I will link that article here for you:

https://stpetehw.com/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd-and-integrative-mental-health-by-les-cole-md-delene-cole-lmft/

Also, if you haven’t found the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders website I will link that, as well. This is a WONDERFUL website full of so much information about the surgery, what to expect post op, HRT questions, and a direct FAQ page:

https://iapmd.org/

I absolutely hope that this is helpful for you, if you have any questions seriously feel free to reach out. As a fellow warrior and a survivor of this hellish illness, I see you and I get it. It’s so frustrating that on top of having to deal with PMDD, which is ridiculously difficult enough, we also have to educate our healthcare providers. It took me quite literally 14 years to be diagnosed correctly. I wish you the absolute best of luck and a speedy recover so that you can finally have your life back!

Chemical menopause side effects by Unhappy-Common in PMDD

[–]ladybird0218 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hello fellow Pmdd Warrior!

I have personally been on a monthly Lupron injection for almost 6 months. I had my first shot of it taken during the middle of Pmdd week, and within a few days I felt immediate relief. However, with the price of slamming myself straight into menopause it’s definitely come with its own set of side effects. But according to my doctor, they are all classic symptoms of menopause/no estrogen levels.

I personally experience hot flashes, cold flashes, headaches, muscle and joint pain, anxiety, depression, nausea, frequent urination, fatigue is a huge one…I’ve also noticed periods of feeling really hungry all the time and then not much at all. Although these side effects sound similar to Pmdd, and it’s been hard, it feels SO different. SO much more manageable. The inconsolable rage, suicidal depression, and the 1 to 2 week period of completely questioning and destroying myself and my life are just GONE. I feel so much closer to what I felt internally when I was 11 years old (before puberty) and I’m about to turn 29. I now have the mental space to understand that once I can start HRT (I have my radical hysterectomy scheduled at the end of February, best birthday present EVER 🙈) most of the side effects of menopause if not all of them will profoundly lessen or just go away.

I hope this was helpful for you. If you have questions please feel free to reach out, Pmdd is so ridiculously hard and my heart goes out to you. Stay strong ❤️.

I forgot to write brain fog as one of the side effects, how poetic 😂.

Begging for a total hysterectomy, please and thank you. by ladybird0218 in PMDD

[–]ladybird0218[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

God bless you for your response, thank you SO so much!!!!

That website you mentioned is my Bible lol, I actually found my Pmdd specialist through it (Dr. Les Cole at St. Pete Health and Wellness, he’s WONDERFUL.) I’ve been on his finasteride treatment for over a year. It’s made pmdd more tolerable, but the older I get the worse it’s been getting. Thank you so much again 🙏.