I'm 46 and have not been on the pill since I was about 22.

I've always had incredibly difficult periods and major PMS.


I have leftover hydrocodone from an injury a couple of years ago, and I have saved it for use on the one or two days each month that are unbearably painful.

As for despair and PMS, that time of the month and the days before are exactly that for me. Despair. That is the perfect word to describe it.