r/PMDDSharing

I just wanted to share my big win with being diagnosed. I tried to post in the main sub it keeps saying I didn't hit that I read the rules, but I did?.

I've had PMDD for years without really realizing it. I've had an undiagnosed mood disorder for years and was incorrectly diagnosed as bipolar (I don't exhibit the mania at all in the I or II sense). I didn't start to suspect it until 2024 when I was hospitalized after a severe mental health episode where I started my period right after. It has affected my relationships so seriously in the past that I've lost friends. For a long time before the realization I was afraid of losing my spouse due to the episodes I would have immediately before my period.

After the suspicion hit I didn't immediately go seek a diagnosis, I thought therapy would work as my brief and surface level research at the time suggested no pharmaceutical intervention, and I didn't know birth control would work. But therapy failed to help in the ways I needed.

So I sought a diagnosis about 2025. I went to my PCP, I went to my prescribing mhnp and they were no help at all. I described my symptoms, they listened, but all they said was "there's nothing we can do except to suggest therapy." I don't believe they even put it in my chart that I came to them with the suspicion or even took the time to diagnose me formally.

So I went another year without a diagnosis with no mental health relief or significant change in my behaviors or symptoms with my partner. I got so desperate I sought out a third opinion from a psychiatrist about a month ago. I was afraid at first that she would give me the same run around and suggest therapy. But I explained everything and she said nearly word for word "you don't have an unspecified mood disorder, you meet all criteria for PMDD" and that was the first relief. But then I ask about what I can do. She suggested therapy, as expected. And after I explained that therapy has been of little help she suggested antidepressants and/or birth control. I was so desperate I took her recommendation to take Prozac. My family was concerned about the medicine because my family members have had bad reactions to it. But I was desperate.

I finally finished the two weeks of Prozac, started my period and noticed I haven't had any mental health symptoms. There was no significantly debilitating paranoia, inappropriate/unreasonable crying episodes or snapping or blowing up at others. The buzz in my head I have with these symptoms were completely absent. I feel for the first time I've found the relief I've desperately looked for and It's brought me to tears. I feel hopeful for the first time in years.

I don't want to generalize men, but I'm disappointed that my male providers were of no help at all and it took a third opinion from a woman to get me the help I needed. But now that I'm on birth control (katlib) after a cyst ruptured I feel like I have a solid plan for care and it's such a fucking relief. I wish I had been taken seriously. I wish I had brought up my suspicion when I was hospitalized, but I was in shock that it could be my period that I waited to watch for a pattern. But that's the past and now the future feels bright.

I just wanted to to share my current experience as women are becoming more increasingly aware of the science behind PMDD and histamine.. I call this supplement rotation my holy trinity right now, because it's quite literally made my PMDD symptoms do a 180. While we've come to find out that antihistamines help largely during the luteal phase, I always try out more "natural" methods before most medicine (my preference, doesn't have to be yours, and also not against medicine). I currently take (daily) 30mg of Saffron (Affron)- helps with mood stabilizing, I take Bromelain/Stinging Nettle- natural antihistamine through supplementation, and a Thorne probiotic to support my gut. Idk what cocktail this trio is, but my PMDD has nearly disappeared. Not to be TMI either, but I can also confirm that estrogen has been clearing through my body vs being held up till menstruation. I know this might not work for anyone else, but wanted to share my experience with the more natural route!

My second thought is wondering what effects these supplements might have over time if I'm taking them daily and if anyone else has a great experience with them long-term. I already have a low-histamine diet, healthy across the board, no other factors that would make matters worse, etc. Any advice is helpful, TIA!!

I understand that the connection between histamines and pmdd is quite controversial, but it is undeniable how many of us are getting relief from antihistamines. and i am one of them. have been trying different kinds and was having a lot of success with Claritin alone, then heard about the combination of Claritin & Allegra- and wow wtf is this sorcery? that along with my Saffron Extract (see post history for info) made my past 3 cycles survivable (and even enjoyable) at moments!

sharing this here in hopes it can help someone who needs it :)

after having a horrible experience taking a low dose ssri during luteal last year, i went back to trying natural/alternative treatments for my severe PMDD. one of them was micro dosing psilocybin for 3 luteal phases, and i am sharing this here for those who are interested.

psilocybin is a natural serotonergic, meaning it increases serotonin in the brain. it is also known to increase neuroplasticity, which creates new healthy pathways for change of mind and perspective, sometimes having lasting positive effects.

as a retired deadhead and psychonaut, i am no stranger to the psychedelic experience. but i have learned that real work (life changes, therapy, etc) need to be done, and that psychedelics are no quick fix magic pill for anything.

i believe that micro dosing has potential, but has it’s limits when treating pmdd symptoms in the day to day. i think there are many undeniable benefits, but in my opinion, it is not a miracle cure by any means. it was more of a foundational treatment for me, one that helped me to change how i saw my pmdd, potentially making other subsequent treatment approaches more successful.

what is micro dosing? why use it for pmdd?
micro dosing is the process of taking small amounts of psilocybin. it can be beneficial in treating pmdd by increasing serotonin, lifting mood, & changing stagnant perspectives.

what does it feel like when treating pmdd?
so to be clear, you do not trip when micro dosing. for me it feels like my mood lifts, and my thought process becomes less critical and more introspective.

how i micro dosed:
ovulation to cycle day 20: .1g golden teachers every 6 hrs
cycle day 20-28: .2g golden teachers/hillbillies every 6 hrs

i ultimately ended up finding such relief from other natural pmdd treatments (see my post history for more info), that i ended up stopping micro dosing after a few months.

i am seeing the growing interest in micro dosing for pmdd and am happy to answer any questions anyone has :)

ps: check out r/unclebens for more info on sourcing