Birth control, hormones, and rage??

[sunandshadow]

I was on birth control for a bit over 10 years, starting when I was a teenager, as a treatment for PCOS. Then a few years ago my liver developed a cyst, which the doctors thought the birth control either was causing or making worse, so I was taken off of that (metformin only now). The cyst more or less got better, and my PCOS seems okay, in that I'm menstruating regularly and not growing a beard.) I'm not allowed to go back on birth control, ever. Not a problem contraceptive-wise, but emotion-wise I'm not so sure.

Now, I had never in my life had PMS, or at least any anger issues related to time of the month. But this past two years I have noticed that I tend to be irrationally angry about one day of the month. It seemed to be gradually getting worse, and today is the worst yet. I was playing a g-rated, cheerful, kid-friendly game and I seriously wanted to punch my monitor because I could tell I was playing badly. WTF? I'm not an angry person. It scares me a little, and repulses me a lot, to feel this kind of rage, especially without any rational target. How do other people deal with this? Is this a common problem, and are there any kinds of common solutions?

[EbonyFire77]

Based on what I know about PCOS, I'd say the emotions might have been exacerbated by the hormonal birth control use. PCOS already makes you rather emotional, but the imbalances weren't properly corrected with the birth control. I think this is a sign your hormones are adjusting but your emotions aren't catching up, yet.

I know exercise and losing some weight helps. Please don't take that personally, but I've known quite a few women who had PCOS and when they lost weight it really helped their moods and their bodies. PCOS can make things quite complicated.

[SweetErika]

My first thought is to look into PMDD and talk to your doctor (or one who's really well-versed on it) about it. Treatments vary from natural to medication. For instance, it might be something that could be helped with extra stress-relievers, diet, homeopathy/naturopathy, acupuncture, massage, etc. Some women also take an antidepressant or other medication for just part of their cycle (usually during the premenstrual and/or period phase). It might be worth checking in with a holistic doc or naturopathic MD who's open to helping you explore both natural and drug therapies in a way that's still safe for your liver and any other preexisting conditions.

Best of luck in finding answers, and I hope you'll let us know how it goes for you!

[sunandshadow]

Originally Posted by EbonyFire77

PCOS already makes you rather emotional

Hmm, is it common for people with PCOS to be emotionally unstable? I've always had a phlegmatic, mellow temperament; people have even told me I seem a bit cold before they get to know me.

[Ropebunny]

Originally Posted by sunandshadow

Hmm, is it common for people with PCOS to be emotionally unstable? I've always had a phlegmatic, mellow temperament; people have even told me I seem a bit cold before they get to know me.

I haven't heard this before. I'd just disregard it sunandshadow.

To your original question: The rage you describe is exactly what happens to me the day before I get my period. I also did not have my period for a number of years after being on long term hormonal contraceptives after the birth of my son. I was shocked to find myself feeling like this from the first period I had since coming off the contraceptives since I hadn't experienced anything similar with previous periods.

I'm also not an angry person, which is why the rage frightens me too. I find that I struggle to control it; I pick fights with my partner and I yell at my son when he hasn't even done anything. I literally feel as though I'm going to explode if I don't let it out and it makes me feel crazy.

I deal with it by trying to stay away from everyone as much as I can, getting someone else to look after my son and briefing my partner on what NOT to do or say lest I truely lose it.

I have no idea about how common this is; you're the only other person I've heard with a story similar to myself. And I don't have any other solutions either, but SweetErika's suggestion of seeing a doctor doesn't sound bad (I think I might do that myself).

Just wanted you to know that you're not alone

[TheSilverLining]

Random question : what birth control were you on? Was it combined?
I was just thinking that perhaps it was the synthetic oestrogen that was to blame, rather than the progesterone? Have you tried progesterone-only contraception?

Other than that I agree with what others have said - speak to a doctor. Just make sure it's a specialist rather than a general practitioner.

[eric60red]

Originally Posted by sunandshadow

I was on birth control for a bit over 10 years, starting when I was a teenager, as a treatment for PCOS. Then a few years ago my liver developed a cyst, which the doctors thought the birth control either was causing or making worse, so I was taken off of that (metformin only now). The cyst more or less got better, and my PCOS seems okay, in that I'm menstruating regularly and not growing a beard.) I'm not allowed to go back on birth control, ever. Not a problem contraceptive-wise, but emotion-wise I'm not so sure.

Now, I had never in my life had PMS, or at least any anger issues related to time of the month. But this past two years I have noticed that I tend to be irrationally angry about one day of the month. It seemed to be gradually getting worse, and today is the worst yet. I was playing a g-rated, cheerful, kid-friendly game and I seriously wanted to punch my monitor because I could tell I was playing badly. WTF? I'm not an angry person. It scares me a little, and repulses me a lot, to feel this kind of rage, especially without any rational target. How do other people deal with this? Is this a common problem, and are there any kinds of common solutions?

Not to worry, your just a normal woman. My wife used to have terrible PMs , if I even looked at her I got my head blown off. so I used to shut up and say nothing

[Eilan]

Originally Posted by eric60red

Not to worry, your just a normal woman. My wife used to have terrible PMs , if I even looked at her I got my head blown off. so I used to shut up and say nothing

And you should continue to do so.

[GrrlFriday]

The kind of irrational irritability you describe sounds like a fairly normal symptom - you're not alone there. I find that if I exercise to the point of exhaustion and make sure I make the best possible dietary choices in the week leading up to my period (high fibre, low salt, low sugar, low caffeine, high calcium, omega 3s, meat), and if I spend some time with a heated wheat bag, I do get a little relief from my PMS symptoms. If I can, I'll see if I can masturbate, and orgasm if I can (again, as much as I can).

I often can't manage to do as much as I'd like, but even if I do some, it gives me back some of the feeling in my legs and some of the ability to move my legs without having to concentrate too much.

[BeachMomma]

SweetErika is right (as usual ). It sounds like it's time to check with your gynecologist. I don't have PCOS, but I have had ovarian cysts and endometriosis which made my PMS symptoms much worse. I can't take hormonal birth control either (but for different reasons than you). When the endometriosis was at its worse, my PMS symptoms were off the charts. I turned into a homicidal, raging maniac. OK, not really, but it sure felt like it! I had a couple of surgeries to fix the endometriosis and a couple of other problems, and the ovarian cyst finally ruptured spontaneously around the same time. Since then, I've not had any PMS symptoms at all. Altered mood really makes sense - especially if you're dealing with a lot of pain. The hormones are bad enough, but when they're accompanied by pain, it's just that much worse.

Now I'm dealing with menopause. One of my nursing school professors said something that stuck with me. "Menopause is PMS times 100." Boy, she was right! I think any time our hormones fluctuate, it brings on an altered mood. If it's creating enough of a problem in your daily life, you could consider anti-depressants. If it's only one or two days a month, that might be overkill. Most anti-depressants take a couple of weeks to become therapeutic, so it's not really worth it for a problem that's very short-lived. Your gynecologist can work with you to find a solution that's both safe and effective. Sometimes it just helps to know that it's not "in your head."

My daughter is fond of saying, "I have red hair, an attitude, and PMS - and I know how to use all three equally well." She's only half joking. lol Between her PMS and my menopause - well, let's just say it's a good thing we love each other!

I hope you get relief and some answers quickly. Feel better soon!

[BeachMomma]

Originally Posted by eric60red

Not to worry, your just a normal woman. My wife used to have terrible PMs , if I even looked at her I got my head blown off. so I used to shut up and say nothing

This quote is one of the greatest life lessons any man can learn: