I have been suffering with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) now for many years. Now that my cycles are somewhat  stable at an average of 34 days, (they were anywhere from 20-70 days before I got my PCOS under control), I know when I am scheduled to ovulate and therefore, I know when the PMDD will start. PMDD is triggered by ovulation and the hormonal fluctuations that happen at that time. There is a theory that women with PMDD are “allergic”, for lack of a better word, to those fluctuations. I know for myself that within 3-4 days after ovulation, I feel the changes coming. It’s like a switch has been flipped and I become Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde.

It is difficult to explain to one who does not have PMDD just what it feels like. “Normally” (ie, in the follicular phase of my cycle – generally the first 13 days or so), I am a pleasant, energetic, calm, rational, kind, loving person. I am affectionate with my husband and my pets; I am pleasant with my customers at my job; I am patient and giving in general with others. I have very low anxiety and stress. This is the person I like to be, and I feel this is my true personality. After ovulation however, I turn into a raging beast. The rage I feel at any and everyone is overwhelming. I become obsessive – thinking about how I could shoot and possibly kill that difficult customer who gives me problems; or that annoying bank teller who is always unhelpful – I envision how I could jump over the counter, tackle her, literally rip her arms from her body and beat her senseless with them. You may be chuckling a bit right now. I am too! BUT THESE FEELINGS ARE VERY REAL. And it takes a huge amount of my energy on a daily basis to contain them when I am in this emotional place. I also cannot function intellectually. Some days I feel I am doing well if I can even remember how to add simple figures. I certainly could not do any research or any active writing.

If I am not feeling terrible anxiety and rage, I am in complete despair. I feel completely lost, hopeless, frequently suicidal. I will cry at the drop of a hat, sobbing uncontrollably. This is not the woman I am at heart; not the woman I want to be for 10 -14 days a month; and certainly not the woman my husband deserves.

I realize the title of this blog is Natural Healing Remedies and that is what I prefer, if I have a choice. There are some natural remedies for PMDD involving B vitamins, calcium/magnesium, 5-HTP, restriction of caffeine and other dietary changes, and exercise. I have done that. I strongly recommend trying that first! Yes, I have received some relief over the years using this formula. But… I am older now. My body is changing. I believe I am in the dreaded perimenopause phase of my life. And I need some stronger guns to help me through this.

Therefore, I have made the decision to try YAZ. YAZ is a combination birth control pill (bcp), but unlike the traditional progesterone in most bcps, it contains a different drug called drospirenone (DRSP). Drospirenone is shown to help PMDD symptoms by inhibiting ovulation (thus not allowing that switch to be flipped) just like other bcps, and also inhibiting some androgenic activity.  One of the physical symptoms I experience before my period is horrible cystic acne. This is caused by an increase in androgen levels. Yaz should help to correct that. It also has anti-mineralocorticoid properties – a fancy way of saying it reduces water retention and may also reduce blood pressure. (Click here for an interesting study). Also, I currently have low estrogen. With the addition of very low dose estrogen in Yaz (ethinyl estradiol 2mcg), I feel my low estrogen symptoms will subside, or at least be improved. That is the plan. You may find the patient insert for Yaz here. The physician insert is here. I encourage you to read both for a complete picture of the drug.

I am sharing my thoughts and my progress here because I know from my readings and from talking to other women that Yaz does not often work the way it is promoted for PMDD. I am willing to be my own experiment in this case and at least give it a shot. This has not been an easy or light decision for me. I have resisted it for 3 years. But my symptoms have finally interfered with my quality of life to such a degree at this point, I feel it is appropriate to try a synthetic alternative.

If you have tried YAZ for your PMDD, please leave a comment with your experiences. I am interested in hearing both sides and I will report back with my own findings. I will begin my YAZ experiment in approximately 5 weeks, due to the timing of my cycle. Please look for ongoing reports.

Best of health to everyone!

~Lori