(Please note this post is more so that I can refer back to important links and notes later on, rather than for you guys. I won’t be offended if you’re not interested or find the whole thing a little TMI…)

I’m currently pre-menstrual and, as with all periods (pun) of pre-menses symptoms, I have sore boobs, massive mood issues and something I’ve never given much thought to before: I have small fluid-filled lumps on my hands. After consulting Dr Google, I have learned that cyclical skin issues such as mine are often related to progesterone intolerance/allergies. Given my previous issues with progesterone (after taking the mini pill, 2014 and Depo Provera side effects, 2008) this wasn’t a surprise.

What was a surprise, however, is that progesterone intolerance and PMDD can be closely linked. Leading me down a rabbit hole of hormone related articles and gynaecological fun facts, I’ve discovered a couple of learned leading gynaecologists (Professor John Studd, Mr Nick Panay) who specialise in PMDD who have experience treating it with hormone therapy: battling the side effects with more of what the body tolerates and less of what it doesn’t.

I’ve also discovered and ended up knee-deep in blog posts by a lady who had a hysterectomy to relieve her PMDD after hormone therapy following a private consult with one of the aforementioned specialists.

My curiousity is piqued. I know that the combined pill does offer small improvement to my symptoms (which lends support to the idea of hormone therapy being of use) as does weight lifting (which is known for its testosterone boost) but I had no idea that all of my issues were specifically linked in with progesterone problems. I don’t particularly want to take pills every day for the rest of my life, hence being sterilised, but neither do I want to put up with mood swings, anxiety, depression, pain and suicidal thoughts that leave me unable to function for three quarters of a month.

I have a lot of reading to do, I think…

Day 22 – 22nd Feb: Made more of an effort to eat well today as Sundays are normally so manic I only eat one meal. Also got some fresh air and light exercise tromping round the woods in Ironbridge with the kids. Still feel fairly “normal” – typical me, basically. No boost, no tiger blood,… read full entry »

Unless something happens in the next few days, I’m on track for completing my first whole30. Notice the word first in there? Yeah, that’s because I’d consider doing this again. So what’s the deal? I thought you were fed up with it! I have been fed up with it, for almost the entire 30 days…. read full entry »

Day 15 – 15th Feb: Normal Sunday: in other words, mad rush to pick up the kids, no time to sit down and eat til late. I did manage to grab a couple of hardboiled eggs and some chicken around 2pm but basically didn’t eat til my evening meal (which was massive to compensate). It… read full entry »

Day 8 – 8th Feb: Slept well, late morning lie in (even though I was supposed to be picking the kids up, oops!) Running around after the kids/doing chores all day so didn’t get chance to eat – this is fairly par for the course on a Sunday when I’m trying to get everything sorted… read full entry »

Day 1 – 1st Feb: Spent much of the day preparing food for the week. Quiche-type thing (no crust) for breakfasts, homemade mayo for my coleslaw, etc. Moods have been fine for about a week but I think that’s because I’ve been seeing my counsellor again. I am suffering mega cake cravings but that’s normal… read full entry »

Things have been a little weird recently here at Chez Jem. When I posted Enter title here I was struggling more than I let on. I was struggling to see the point of anything. I didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning, I didn’t see the point in going to work because… read full entry »

For the first time in years (well, since 2008 if my archives are right!) I have spent the past week, give or take, absolutely crippled with horrific PMS symptoms. Uber cramps, lethargy, insomnia, bloating, stress, carb cravings, you name it: I’m suffering with it. But… worst of all, I seemed to have developed the emotional… read full entry »

Note: this is a girly-TMI entry. Please do not read if you are weak of heart or a squeamish boy type. Thanks. I’d originally heard of the mooncup a few years ago. I liked the sound of not having to pay out regularly for tampons, but given that my periods were rarely around anyway (‘thanks’… read full entry »

This post is probably a bit girly for most of you, feel free to bugger off now… About 4 years ago I went on the Depo Provera jabs. As well as wanting the extra contraceptive power, I figured it’d be a good way to ditch the Monthly Terrors and the accompanying symptoms (agonising cramps, ridiculous… read full entry »