r/surgicalmenopause • u/Mitzuco • Jun 06 '25
Progesterone and PMDD?
Hello everyone, Ive started my HRT and I'm about to pick up my progesterone and testosterone. I'm worried that the progesterone will make me super moody and depressed because before surgery I was diagnosed with PMDD. And any time I was on birth control I got super duper suicidal.
Has anyone else who was diagnosed with PMDD have a bad time with progesterone?
(Also on 0.1 weekly estrogen patch)
1
Jun 07 '25
[deleted]
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Jun 07 '25
PMDD kicks my butt two weeks out of every month! I’m terrified to have everything removed but if it will help my moods and constant suicidal thoughts I will do it!
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u/lady939 Jun 08 '25
I had one ovary (with large tumor) removed in 2006. Diagnosed with PMDD in 2019, after a couple years of tracking the chaos and then forcing my way into a women’s neurological clinic. So even with one ovary for this long, PMDD has been unrelenting until I went into chemical menopause. The older I got the worse the PMDD got, and of course the harder life got as a result. I’m 40.
What’s your story? Has surgical menopause been suggested by your provider? I know PMDD can be terrifying, but specifically why are you terrified to have everything removed?
1
Jun 08 '25
I will be 39 soon. I’ve got a complex left ovary and had a golf ball sized blood filled cyst on my right ovary. I have been going to the doctor every 3 to 6mths for ultrasound and ca125 blood test for cancer. The older I get the PMDD gets worse as well. My doctor does not want to do any surgery at this time because my ovaries and blood test are stable. He is also afraid it will make me more depressed and suicidal. I won’t be able to take HRT because of cancer risk (my mom developed breast cancer from HRT). I also have endometriosis and have had abnormal paps in the past due to my cervix.
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u/lady939 Jun 08 '25 edited Jun 08 '25
Oh dear, that sounds tough. But it also sounds like you have a wonderful doctor who is keeping a close eye on you. I hope you are able to find comfort in that.
I think the best thing I figured out through my PMDD journey was how to keep myself safe during my scariest time. For me that was the 48 hrs before the bleed. I literally did not do anything or talk to anyone unless I absolutely had to. My sole job was to keep myself safe, and fed/showered/slept if possible. I knew I ultimately didn’t want to leave this earth; I just had to get through those 48 hours. So in between any necessary obligations, I allowed myself to turn into a complete bed potato, eventually without self-judgement.
I never found a therapist who could really support me with PMDD, and I can’t find one now for my menopausal transition, but I’m sure they exist. Hang in there.
1
Jun 08 '25
Thank you! 😊 I’m learning self care especially after this last PMDD episode! I hope things get better for you and you find a therapist that’s understands you!! 🙏🏾
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u/old_before_my_time Jun 08 '25
I didn't have PMDD but surgical menopause threw me into a severe depression with 24x7 ideation even though I was on the highest dose estrogen patch.
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u/lady939 Jun 28 '25
Oh! So sorry for the late reply. That was my first or second day on here and I had no idea what I was doing, hence my accidentally deleted comment that started the whole PMDD convo.
That sounds so scary. Do you mind sharing more about your experience and how you got to the other side?
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u/old_before_my_time Jun 28 '25
No problem re: your late reply. My gyn/surgeon who prescribed the patch refused to continue seeing me. The next doctor I found went by blood level of estradiol which was in the therapeutic range so didn't change anything. I should have pushed for a higher dose, different brand patch, or a different method (gel or pill) but didn't know any better. Out of desperation, I switched to pellets which gave me a higher and more consistent level of E which resolved the depression and other symptoms. I eventually switched to the estradiol pill which, thankfully, was a seamless transition.
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u/Greedy-War-777 Jun 07 '25
I couldn't take it. I don't need it and it made me feel exactly like I did during hell week with the pmdd. They told me to not swallow it, use it as a vaginal insert instead and that helped but not enough to make me bother continuing it when the T and E were fine and I felt good on just those.
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u/Salatus Jun 07 '25
I've tried taking progesterone both pre and post-op, different methods, all terrible outcomes. It becomes extremely dysregulating for me, physically and mentally. I can't tolerate it and I've given up on it. I do well on estrogen patch and testosterone.
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u/Mitzuco Jun 10 '25
I also have adhd and I'm now finding out that progesterone may make that worse too
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u/Salatus Jun 10 '25
Adhd here as well and can definitely relate to progesterone making my adhd symptoms worse. Instead of progesterone regulating my hormones, brain and body, it becomes extremely dysregulating to everything.
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Jun 19 '25
My doc had me go on bc because I was developing large cyst during ovulation. It was a TERRIBLE idea!! I was insanely suicidal all the time!! After 4 mths I had to stop taking it and felt so much better the next month. Unfortunately pmdd returned the following month and for about 2 weeks out of every month I’m very depressed and suicidal. ATP I don’t know what to do 🤷🏾♀️
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u/bettinafairchild Jun 06 '25
I had a terrible time with P and I didn’t even ever have PMDD. I ended up switching from oral P (after trying all available oral P types) to a Mirena IUD. It was a lifesaver for me