Have you tried taking anything for the PMS, like a specialized multi-vitamin with extra stuff for the PMS? I've never really had a problem with PMS. As my husband would say, I'm a bitch all the time! But I have been experiencing some of the early perimenopause stuff and my hormones have been so crazy that at one point I didn't even recognize myself anymore. I started taking an over-the-counter multi-vitamin made for this particular stage in life and I am definitely returning to my old self again. I have more energy, for one thing, which means I'm not as tired, which translates to not as bitchy. I don't know, but maybe there's something out there that would give you the boost you need at that particular time of the month.

~ Anne ~

I'm only 36, so it started a little early for me. I think they say it can start as early as 34 or 35 or as late as your fifties. For me, it started with hot flashes, night sweats, being cranky, being forgetful and not being able to focus on anything, not being able to drown out background noise and just getting overwhelmed. Plus, because of all the other, I wasn't sleeping. My periods now occur about every 25 days, but they only last 1 1/2 days, so I'm happy with that part of it! I started taking something similar to Estroven. Same stuff, just different brand or the store brand, which is cheaper. I think what helps me the most is the extra B vitamins, because they bump up the energy level. I don't feel so washed out and that helps a lot. You could probably go to your local pharmacy and ask a pharmacist what kind of multi-vitamin would help with your particular symptoms. Maybe taking some extra B vitamins during that week would help.

~ Anne ~

Evening Primrose Oil is a great supplement that you can take daily, helps with PMS. I also take a multi vitamin & mineral supplement made especially for women, and I tell you that helps sooo much. Vitamin E and B6 is great too.

Ginger is also a good herbal supplement. It helps with the circulation of blood throughout the body and is an anti-spasmodic action which relives menstrual cramps. So, I sometimes munch on dried ginger- bit spicy, and you only need a little nibble (it's candied like dried pineapple chunks with sugar coating.). Or I cook with it, so I often make a ginger base meal during that time. (Use fresh ginger, not the ground spice, but get an actual ginger root from the grocery store, and just chop it up finely and cook with just a little- Like a Chinese dish or curry dish. Just find a few ginger recipes like online from Recipezaar.

I drink a lot of teas because I can not have a lot of caffeine, but I like to sip a hot drink in the evening when it's 'quiet time' for me- or anytime that I need a warm up- in the winter of course. I make cold teas in the summer. It helps me calm my nerves from the day, so I often get teas like Peppermint tea, Green Tea, Chai tea, etc they are all decaffeinated. So, I go to a Health Food store in my area, and we have a couple of really good Vitamin Shops that carry all sorts of things with knowledgeable Herbal Medicine Alternatives. I learned from them that Evening Primrose Oil and ginger root are great for PMS. Plus I take the multi vitamin and I have soo much more energy and my skin and hair all benefit too!

I hated myself all last week because of PMS..
Other wise known when I am like that as Put Me to Sleep.. LOL..
I know I finally started and woowee, I feel so much better. Its horrible when you know firstly that you are being that way and don't want too but you cannot change it at all. Its like there is this little devil in you that will not let your nice side come back.
My husband just looks at me and all I can think that he is thinking is OMG where or what did you do with my sweet loving wife.. Bring her back.
I am a bitch that time of month. Some months more then others.. I just pop a few pills and hope for the best. LOL..

Happy here to give you support

I did the Evening Primerose for awhile too..it came with the vitamin E already in it. Like an anti-PMS pill.
I didn't notice a change right away....there might have been slight change..but because I don't 'live with me'..the way everyone else has to....I may be last person to 'notice' any difference it might have made.... The difference may have been far bigger than I imagined. lol

Meantime, at almost 42...I'm just waiting patiently for menopause!!

My last peroid was 12 days long....I had one in the summer that lasted 21 days. ANd my usual 7 day PMS has now stretched into 2 weeks...I feel like I'm going to start any day..for 2 weeks! I've been bloated (& cranky) have had a low grade headache off & on.

Any time I suffer through PMS.....I just thnk to myself...
It could be worse....I could be pregnant!!!

At my age........I DO NOT WANT to go there!!!!
Been there, bought the shirt, moved on.......I just want my reproductive years to be over and the monthly suffering to stop!!

My husband is big on taking vitamins, and herbal supplements. He takes a variety of things that he really feels help him. I have found that taking a good quality women's multivitamin has really really helped me, but you have to look at the bottle and understand what you are getting. Some of the multivitamins out there are packed with way too much 'stuff' in them. So, find a health foods place and ask them for their advice.

St. John's Wort is also good for those moods. It's also used for mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and insomnia. (Not serious depression, but for those blah days.)

Ginkgo biloba is also good for blood flow of the brain. It is like an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. My husband takes this because it's good for memory.

The key with using herbal supplements is that you have to take them regularly and also take vitamins, so they aren't as effective if you just take them during a short period. They work much better when you take them on a longer term and have them in your system. It's something to consider.