r/science • u/CookMotor • Nov 02 '24

Neuroscience In a First, Scientists Found Structural, Brain-Wide Changes During Menstruation

https://www.sciencealert.com/in-a-first-scientists-found-structural-brain-wide-changes-during-menstruation
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u/mangorain4 Nov 03 '24

I highly recommend therapy- it’s not a psychological problem but the symptoms are. Learning how to handle PMDD via therapy saved my life several times over. I react terribly to SSRIs and hormonal birth control so that was really my only option and it has genuinely been so helpful.

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u/M00n_Slippers Nov 03 '24

I don't mean to put down your advice, and I appreciate that you are trying to be helpful by suggesting something that helped you, but I can't help feeling so patronized by this advice.

Therapy would do basically nothing for me as my symptoms are almost completely physical, not mental. The grouchiness and sensitivity I handle more or less alright. I have had therapy before for other issues, I already know how to manage my emotions and be objective, but you need a baseline of control to do that, which is where medication comes in, they take the edge off so you are more in control.

Because Therapy can't do anything about the buzzing in my spine that drives me crazy, and make it impossible to be still and makes me feel trapped wherever I am, or the physical feeling of needing to sigh to fix my overactive nerves, or cry from excess stress hormones. It is literally, PHYSICALLY uncomfortable, to the point I feel like I am going insane, and no therapist I have ever been to gave me any decent advice on that, at best they are like, 'meditation apps exist'. Like gee, why didn't I think of that obvious thing I didn't need to pay you for? I am already on medication for anxiety and it's like I am not even on it during my period. They say, "take more during your period" yet they don't prescribe me extra pills so I don't know how I am even supposed to do that.

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u/Impressive_Bend8174 Nov 03 '24

I relate to everything you said very much,and I'm so sorry you experience this. It really sucks. Especially the buzzing, the urge to sigh (and then sighing doesn't even relieve tension and bring that satisfying relief, I hate that feeling so much), and of course crying. The overall general oversensitivity that suddenly can become overwhelmingly irritating. For me that is not related to my period and I haven't yet found a solution. I even thought I might be autistic? I honestly don't know why it happens and therapy certainly didn't resolve it. I didn't even feel like therapists actually undestand. Is there anything that helped you? I was also on SSRI, and mood stabiliser, combining different doses, but I do not really recall those meds helping with those symptoms. The psychiatrist was not thar helpful either tbh. Is so hard and random, sometimes I feel so lost and just can't help but hate my body and myself. It feels so out of control.

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u/M00n_Slippers Nov 03 '24 edited Nov 03 '24

It's generalized anxiety disorder, my friend. I have it all the time but medication helps a lot as long as my sleep is good, but if I'm on my period I might as well not even be on meds. Therapy generally doesn't help that much because it's not thought related like depression often is. It can help your reaction to it, but the physical discomfort is untouched. I think it's chemical, or hormonal? I wouldn't be surprised if it's related to ADHD or maybe the Adrenal gland but I honestly don't know. It also feels hereditary, my sister and both parents and at least one grandparent have it.

I have been on Prozac, Zoloft, and Effexor. They all do help, but you need higher doses than for depression. The basic dose does nothing, you have to triple or quadruple it to get effect, at least for me. I feel like the Effexor worked the best, but I hate the side effects. I am trying Vanspar but I am still on the Effexor so I don't know how well it works yet. Honestly what feels the best are Ativan and Hydroxazine, but they are mostly for acute treatment. I mostly don't need acute treatment, except during my period, I need chronic treatment. I had Hydroxazine for a bit as a PRN and it helped during my period, but I don't have it anymore and I really miss it. I feel like light sedatives are actually pretty helpful. I sometimes wonder if gabapentin might be better. If the Vanspar doesn't feel very good I might ask my psychiatrist about it, as a few other people in my family take it.