Increases anxiety before menstruation

I notice that my anxiety seems to come more before and during my period.  I increase my lexapro from 10 to 15 mg a few days prior to my period but it doesn't seem to help.  I still become nauseous with stomach upset that lasts almost all day.  My MD doesn't want to check my hormone levels since I am only 37.  I have been having increased anxiety since my son was born 2 1/2 years ago.  Does anyone think this could be hormonal related and if so should I see if going on the pill would help?

[suzi-q]

I was recenty put on the pill because of cysts....I hate it!  This is the second pill I am on and I have become more anxious and more bloated and more moody ever since.  My doctor did say that it should help stablize my moods and help with anxiety.  It hasn't yet....but ya' never know.

Also, my sister in law is 37 and is going through per-menopause.  She has been very anxious also lately and also very weepy.  Ask your doctor again to check your hormone levels...That could be the cause.

[Kellygirl6]

I have the same issues and have wondered about hormones causing my troubles.  Are there actually blood tests that check your hormone levels?  What are they, specifically?  Anyone know?

Thanks!

[taraeck]

someone told me to go on birth cotrol pills to balance out my hormones. im scared too though theres lots of risks. i dont get period every month and this is probably why i have anxiety i never know when its coming? it really sucks im so confused....

[Lee3]

I do know there are blood test to check hormone levels.  My OB doesn't want to check mine though because she said they could be good one week then off the next week.  I really do think I have a hormonal imbalance and I will bring it up again when I she her.  I really don't want to go back on the pill but I'm willing to try anything if it will help.

[suzi-q]

Ladies, I have yet to get a period on the pill!  That is why the doctor keeps changing the pill....I also get terrible sensitivity in my breasts and they feel like footballs...I know this is off topic, but have any of you experience this????

[howhardisthis]

Ok I just proved a point to myself.  3/4 of an hour ago I was sitting outside in tears thinking I was going to die and had a very bad panic attack.  Just then I started my period so yes menustration brings on anxiety and panic.

[lpm2007]

Same problem here (anxiety around "that time of the month").  Yes, I think it's definitely hormonal.  I take Zolft and supplement with Buspar when I start feeling the anxiety coming on.  Works for me!  Now, Buspar is supposed to take the normal two weeks to build up in your system before it starts working but I feel the effects immediately.  The only downside with Buspar is that it makes me feel tired, but I'd rather feel fatiqued than anxious any day.

[russianqt21]

Hi, one thing i can say, my doc started me on Yasmin (28 cycle) it has been heaven! My mood swings are gone, i have become a more calm and human person! before i would lash out on anyone or about anything possible! Just recently i had my first panick attack, and anxiety has not left me since! i am suspecting the BC has something to do with it. because i had my panick attack and my period came 48hrs later. Then i finished my period and started the pill yesterday and my anxiety is thru the roof!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.... i wish there was a good answer for all these feelings that we are feeling :(

[mommysboyz2]

I have bad anxiety around my periods too!  I didn't make the connection between my anxiety and my period until just recently.  Back in December I started having bad anxiety attacks and was extremly fearful I also became very depressed...I went on zoloft, 50mg and it took a long 3 weeks to feel better, but only one week later, I relapsed...and go figure, around my period.  I didn't think it was connected then.  My dose was increased to 100mg at that time, which was back in Feb. and I have had many good days since then, but everytime my period comes I start having the bad anxiety.  Mine starts just before my period, lasts through my period, and I even have it a few days after my period.  I was wondering if I could actually have a hormonal imbalance.  Can any of you describe your anxiety?  Do any of you become ocd when you start feeling anxious?  Do any of you start thinking very negativly...like "I'm not going to make it", "I'm losing my mind"...etc.?  I'm 32...can you have a hormonal imbalance, but not be perimenopause?  I hope so...I sure do hate this and feeling in the dark about my condition!  Thanks for any responses!  

[shannon225]

Hi there, I also have been experiencing and finally making the connection between my anxiety and period. I have the exact same symptoms, I become very ocd to a fault where I start this blaming inner dialogue that spirals. I am pretty opposed to any medicaiton and am looking into it via the natural, homopathic route. If you are intersted I will keep you updated. Good luck!

[greytabby]

Hi guys,  
I have the same symptoms as well!  I get very bad anxiety and find myself questioning my judgment, talking negatively to myself, and crying for no reason.  It seems like I always find something to "blame" my feelings on, but I realize now that it is just natural to want to find a reason for feeling that way.  I can sort of keep in my mind that it will pass and not to try to solve any problems when I am in this state, but it is VERY hard to remember that when you are in the midst of an anxiety attack!  I too think it is hormone related, and am not sure what to do.

[louthorn]

I too, have anxiety attacks. I have noticed they come a week before my period and sometimes during my period as well. It is so hard to explain this craziness to people that don't have them. My symptoms are rapid heart rate, tingling arms and hands, feeling of doom, feel like I'm going to go crazy or die. I know my blood pressure gets pretty high when I am having one. I don't want to depend on meds either. I am going to blame this on my hormones, but does anyone else have an explanation??? It is miserable to live like this.

[dontpanic]

My panic attacks used to increase around the time I had my period too. My doctor put me on Loestrin 24 rapid cycling (I never take the last row of pills so I never have a period) and it has changed my life. My anxiety is still present but it is stable throughout the month. I would highly recommend asking if rapid cycling is an option for you because my mood and anxiety are much more stable now that I don't have a period.

[tomsprincess]

Try upping Vitamin B Complex.  I take additional Vitamin B supplements when this starts (I too have noticed more spiralling, things causing anxiety that normally wouldn't, and worrying about things that aren't even worth worrying about, and a lot of other symptoms that I've had undercontrol since being treated for PTSD) but during my cycle and immediately before, I noticed the OCD thoughts of worry, gloom and doom, EEyore syndrome I call it, and looking for problems where there aren't any -- and confusion also! I've started to increase my Vitamin B during this tiem, and also I use a Vitamin B energy shot, from Advocare called SLAM, that has more Vitamin B.  That really seems to take the edge off, and balance out the brain.  Try that!

[MrsJenny]

I feel the exact same as you do. Every since my son was born he is now 2 1/2. I don't understand but I have gotten worse with anxiety and gets better at times and gets worse at times. I also was told by my gyn that it could be a thyroid problem after you have your baby. I never went and saw him about that but really need to. I wish I felt like normal again.

[bluemom27]

Hello All,
I am so glad that you all posted what you are going through!!!!  It is good to know that I am not the only one who feels this way.  I just noticed about 3 months ago or so that I get anxiety about a week before my period.  At first I thought it was all in my head and I couldn't figure out why it was happening around my cycle. After some reading it seems to be caused by the hormonal changes before my period.  I haven't been to the doctor yet for this, but plan on going as soon as I can get an appointment.  I don't like feeling this way !!!

[mel3095]

hi i too suffer with anxiety on days 13, 14 and 15, then any days between day 21-27 (i have a 28 day cycle.) i was on microgynon 30 pill for 12 years with a 2 year break its always been fine, until 2 years ago i started noticing the anxiety popping up so i started charting it and noticed a pattern. i too also feel my anxiety is hormonal but docs wont check my hormone levels, so i decided to stop my pill to see if its my body or the pill causing the anxiety. well im on my first cycle of the pill, im on day 26 today and so far ive had really slight anxiousness on day 14 (very slight) and anxiousness on day 25 but nothing like im used to having on the pill. im really hoping in time the anxiety will eventually disappear after a few cycles ill keep you posted if it comes back again atleast i will know its not birth control!!

[Felecia37]

I have the same problem. I get really bad anxiety before my cycle but I do not take any medicine for my panic attacks. I have tried everything from lexapro, celexa, Prozac, paxil, trazadone and nothing works for me except benadryl. It works wonders for me and it is a lot safer than any of the meds I have taken and with no side effects. It would be safe to try even if you are on lexapro. I take a full teaspoon of the liquid benadryl at bedtime or any time I feel my mind wondering to thoughts of death or my attacks. The symptoms i have are PMDD. Look it up and see if you have the symptoms. Ihope this helps.

[Felecia37]

Try liquid benadryl. It works wonders on my anxiety and panic attacks. I have tried so many medications for anxiety and a lot of the meds made it worse. I am not on any meds now but I still get panic attacks before my cycle. I take a dose of benadryl at bedtime so I can sleep and I take it any time I feel it coming back. It is safe to take with meds. I hope this helps.

[kces]

It is so funny becuse you just described my situation to a T!!! It is horrifying... I sometimes think what if the Xanax just stops working one day??? I feel like I cannot live the rest of my life with this feeling, there has got to be a better way. I have had spirts of anxiety for the last couple of years then this past year I got married, my mother got sick, and my daughter got sick. I started not being able to handle just everyday life so I went to the doctors and they immediatly put me on Xanax .25 3 times a day. This worked for about 2 months then out of no where wham! So the doctor put me on prozac 1 a day the forst 2 days were ok then I woke up in the middle of the night and I thought I was going to crawl right out of my skin, I was screaming uncontrolably and talking about wanting to just die to my new husband....I kept saying I am a waste to both of them I just bogged them down it was terrible.These are things i look down on people for saying!! This resulted in full blown everyday panic attacks I couldnt even leave my house. I called into work for a whole week with intentions of never going back.  So I went back to the doctor and they switched me to wellbutrin SR 1 a day for 6 days then 2 a day total of 200mg. This medicine seemed to work better for me I quit smoking lost 16 pds and was starting to function normal again. I no longer drank caffine or did anything to aggravate my anxiety but i also feel like i have stopped living to. I am afraid to go to far away from home incase of an attack my whole life has just done a 180. I still take the xanax as needed and I guess to the point of the story they are extremely needed the DAY I start my period. I literally take 3 to four a day just to get through and i am still not completely free of anxeity in fact now i am anxious and high! So here I am researching the hell out of this sickness because I am sick of it!!! It just doesnt make sense it seems as though there are so many people suffering from the same thing why havent they found something that is connected or that will help?? I do know the only difference I see is that my anxiety was speratic before and I was on the Mirena (birth control) which in turn you did not get a period. I got off the mirena in September and major anxiety attacks started in november just enough time for my body to start menstrating again coincidence I think so.....

[Aw711]

I'm so glad I came across this post. I have had anxiety problems for years. Lately I've been getting heart palpitations a lot more frequently. I'm due to start my period in a week. I wonder if this could be related. I'm 37, almost 38. I had an EKG in December and it was fine and an echo about two years ago. It was also fine. Can perimenopause start this early? Do you think it could e related?

[nursecarrie848]

I have the exact same thing happen to me the same thoughts the same depressiveness and ocd and feelings of impending doom. i wont make it im going crazy my stomach is sick im cold and sweaty and anxiety and pannik attacks right before my period starts and right when it ends. I am so glad to see i am not the only one now i know i am not crazy thank God.

[happy1300]

First of all, Xanax is awful for you. My friend is on Xanax and being the experiencing it from the other end makes it awful to be around someone on it. Secondly, its normal to feel anxiety and its natural to feel anxious around your period - 85% of women do. Yoga has helped a lot, I used to get enormous panic/anxiety attacks - but Ive involved a lot of physical activity over the past three years and its made a huge difference. Also, caffeine around the time of your period triggers the anxiety button, so I try to avoid that as well. Eating healthy and frequently will help too. I am not on birth control, but tried Yaz and I think my body was confused as hell and got completely pissed off at me for trying it - I was agitated, and more cranky than I was off the pill. Just my experience, thought Id share.