Evening Primrose Oil.

[NoMercy]

Has anyone taken this to help with their periods and has it helped?

Every month I get so low in mood, depressed, short tempered, even paranoid. I find I'm snappy, impatient and I even drive more aggressively.

I've suffered with horrendous massaging, stomach pains and bloating and yet when the period arrives it's light and lasts about 2 days max. I always think, "What the hell was all that about?"

My extremely low mood is my main concern and I'm desperate for help with this :(

[NoMercy]

Mastalgia, not massaging.

[bookbinder]

I have a friend who used it when she went through the change, and she said that it did help. As regards easing periods problems, I can't offer any help. Sorry.

[choux]

Horrendous 'massaging' - ?
I think you are correct in hating your phone, but I wish you feel better asap :)

[choux]

Sorry, NoMercy, crossed posts.

[sunny-dave]

(obviously not me personally) - but I've had good reports - particularly with relation to breast pain and tenderness before/during periods, but also a general 'better in oneself' feeling.

Dx

[NoMercy]

I suffer from serious lack of concentration too.

[ubasses]

Have you seen your Dr, I think it is down to what could be causing the problem. My sister in law found it very helpful and got it on prescription, I did not get any relief from taking it, but when I reached the menopause I was found to have a large benign tumour which must have been growing all the time I was suffering.
No harm in trying it but please see your GP.

[sunny-dave]

The dosage needed is high - I can find out what was used (and which supplier) if you like.

[237SJ]

I have used it although I prefer Starflower oil because it`s got higher levels of GLA. It takes a few months to have an effect though and even then you can`t really tell if it`s the oil or just a phase that would have cleared up on it`s own. It`d definitely give it a go. Holland and Barrett quite often have 2 for 1 offers which is good as Starflower is quite expensive. Get the highest level GLA that you can.

[Buenchico]

From the Royal United Hospital, Bath:
"Critical scientific evaluation of Evening Primrose Oil suggested that the effect is limited and many women are disappointed by the results"
but, perhaps most importantly:
"No one treatment is perfect for every woman and all you can do is experiment until you find a treatment that suits you with the side effects you find tolerable"
http://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/gynaecology/documents/patient_leaflets/GYN027_Pre-menstrual_tension.pdf

That leaflet is probably worth reading in full. Perhaps Danazol might be suitable for you?

[NoMercy]

Thank you very much for your answers. It's getting to the stage where I will have to consult the GP.

[choux]

I tried to eat a careful diet through my menstrual years (now well gone, TG). Plenty of iron, lots of sleep, fresh air and some gentle walking. I cannot imagine how some have periods lasting 2-3 days. Mine were all 7+ and quite horrendous. However, the menopause was a doddle for me. So I reckon I came through it all relatively unscathed.

[jourdain2]

E.P Oil did help me a bit with easing out the 'period' moods. It doesn't with the menopause, unfortunately - I think I feel a post coming on re: that subject....

[NoMercy]

I guess it works for some but not others. I'll give anything a try.

[jourdain2]

P.S. It sounds as if a visit to your G.P. might be advisable. St. John's Wort helps with the depression bit, but can be contra-indicated.

[NoMercy]

I've just read the side effects of Danazol - think I'll give that one a miss.

[woofgang]

Its a problem with anything that takes months to have an effect, that maybe its just the passage of time and not what you are taking....there is also the issue of if you feel you can wait months for things to improve?
If how you feel is affecting your driving and therefore the safety of yourself and others and you are concerned about low mood, then I urge you to go and see the doc and chat.
I went there with menopause. I had phases of throwing things aggression when I tried HRT. Seriously don't mess around with the complementary stuff. That's fie if your symptoms are mild or you can deal with them while you are waiting so see if it helps.

[solvitquick]

Dear NoMercy,
Wow, your post touches many nerves with me as a male!
(a) Premenstrual Tension was not recognised when I was a child and teenager. If that is your problem, it seems quite mild compared with my mother. Every month, our loving family erupted between mam and dad - started by mam - mainly based on her "insane" jealousy. For 2-3 days we kids and dad had to suffer her verbally violent accusations against him.
(b) At work as a biochemically qualified researcher, a secretary came into my office and wanted my views on EPO. Her problem was that after taking it her "blood"-loss had become massive.
(c) After reminding her that I was not medically-qualified (legally necessary), I told her that EPO was never found as a natural human component and she should consider stop taking it until discussing with her GP. She never spoke of EPO's effects on her psychology - sorry.
So what can you do? First: Make Notes, preferably typed, of your concerns and discuss them with your GP. Leave a copy of your notes with your G.P. so that it is on your record and avoids future repetition.
Unfortunately I am unaware of drugs that can really help. Like many of us, face the fact that you have a seriously depressing condition; accept the fact that there is no medical solution and try to modify your life-style to acccomodate this cruel condition. Drugs are seldom a real answer to this sort of thing in fact side-effects can make problems worse.
Very Best Wishes NM,
SIQ.

[janbee]

I use EP oil capsules for psoriasis/eczema and it's excellent. I've never used it for PMT type symptoms. My GP prescribed NORETHISTEROE for that and symptoms went. I wish you luck NoM and I wish you well asap. xx

[happyone2]

I have found that for me, st johns wort has been a god send for a low mood - i read up on it and like EPO it works for some people and not for others and for me it has been amazing...........as per the internet, i use a high dosage supplement and it has changed my life ( i am also going thru the change and did get low, depressed and generally sad !! ) ............... I also take Vit D and Fish oil.................... good luck