I haven’t officially been diagnosed with PMDD but I’ve suspected I have it for a while now. I get SEVERE PMS. Mainly extreme irritability but sometimes straight anger and over things I’d normally not bat an eyelash at, non-hormonally. I get allll the symptoms of pms. Crazy sore boobs, fatigue, sweet tooth, appetite changes, cramps and primarily mood swings-did I mention ANXIETY?! I’ve mentioned this to my gyno and my primary doctor several times but neither of them seem concerned. My OB gave me birth control (can’t take because I’m TTC and the pill made me straight Incredible Hulk raging). My primary gave me hydroxyzine (glorified antihistamine) for when I’m feeling anxious but they take forever to kick in then just knocks me out so then I can’t function because I’m so tired which in turns agitates me then I just end up drinking coffee or going to sleep (if I can). I have a couple questions for those who suffer from it and hopefully most of you have found ways to cope…

1-Other than the generic pms relief strategies, what are major life savors during this week?? (it starts as early as 7-10 days before period for me)

2-Do women with PMDD have less likelihood of conceiving or are they overall less fertile? I’ve had two kids but my youngest is 7 and TTC for #3 now and not sure if/when this condition developed.

3-Is it common to have a short luteal phase with PMDD? I have a “normal/regular”cycle but I feel like I have a period every 3 weeks and start a week and a half or so after I ovulate…

4-what causes the PMDD?? Is it explained when a diagnosis is made? Is it a hormonal imbalance? All my hormone labs have always come back normal, almost perfect (which is why I think the doctors won’t take me serious) but I swear things are so intense and just off.