It seems like this type of thing is pretty common:
Quote:
OBJECTIVES:
Several lines of research suggest that reproductive events may affect the course of bipolar disorder (BD) in some women. With respect to the menstrual cycle, the focus has been on dysphoric symptoms [e.g., premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)], and the exacerbation of depression, in the premenstrual phase. This article reviews the literature on the potential effects of the menstrual cycle on BD.
METHODS:
A systematic search for published case reports and research studies available through March, 2013 was conducted. Several combinations of search terms were entered into PubMed and PsycInfo.
RESULTS:
Overall, 25 case reports, ten retrospective studies, and 11 prospective studies were identified. The majority (64%) of case reports involved hypomanic or manic episodes in the premenstrual phase. Retrospective results suggest that 25-77% and 15-27% of women with BD meet the criteria for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and PMDD, respectively. Menstrual cycle-related mood changes were reported by 64-68% of women with BD in retrospective studies, and were displayed by 44-65% of women in prospective studies.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although research has focused on the premenstrual phase to the neglect of the periovulatory phase, it appears that a subgroup of women with BD, possibly those with hormonal sensitivity, experience menstrual cycle effects on depressive, hypomanic, and manic episodes. These phase-episode effects appear to be heterogeneous and may have implications for treatment. Whether they might best be described using course specifiers, similar to postpartum onset and rapid cycling, or as diagnostic entities, like PMDD, requires further study.
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From personal experience, I nearly
always get depressed for 3-4 days just before my period, regardless of what kind of mood state I'm in. It's worst if I happen to be hypo/manic at the time - there've been several times that I seriously considered going to the hospital just to keep myself safe. It took me a while to figure out what was going on because I was on hormonal BC for something like 10 years and I think that helped suppress the premenstrual crazy (but unfortunately I can't take hormonal BC anymore). After I realized the pattern though it's been much easier to talk myself through it and not take any, ahem, drastic actions.