[spincera]

Hello everyone,
I had a little bit of mania yesterday, and today I am mildly depressed. I have been keeping track of my moods on a chart and noticed that this happened last month around this time. However, my mania and depression were more severe last month. So, I was wondering if anyone has had bipolar symptoms around their menstral cycle. I am 41 years old, so I'm hoping it isn't related to menopause. That would be disturbing. I am also having some medical issues right now as well, but I'm hoping they will be under control soon.
Oh and I have been diagnosed with BPD, PTSD, and anxiety.

That's about it. I just wanted to see what other's thoughts are.

I go a little more crazy around that time of the month. I tend to get more depressed, *****y and crabby. I am more tired, overall body sore, and generally unhappy. The *****y and crazy reach epic proportions sometimes but I havent experienced being hypo/manic at that time. Could be disastrous!

[florica]

Originally Posted by spincera

So, I was wondering if anyone has had bipolar symptoms around their menstral cycle.

This is something I've been thinking about too. This is all anecdotal, of course:

My menstrual cycle affects my mood significantly. I tend to have mood swings, become emotionally reactive and just feel more intensely. This emotional state is so distinct from my normal mindset that whenever I start feeling that way I think "looks like I'll be getting my period soon...". This usually starts a couple days before my period and ends a couple days after it starts. I don't associate this with my bipolar symptoms, but I think it does indicate that my moods are sensitive to hormonal changes.

Earlier this summer, I had the first hypomanic episode that I've had in a long time. The first half was a euphoric hypomania and it ended in dysphoria and then I went back to normal. I had a stretch of normalcy for the next few weeks. Then the very first day of my last period, a bit over two weeks ago now, I went straight back into my hypomanic state - the bad kind. I've also noticed this sort of pattern happening before with my period and depressive episodes.

So I think what I'm trying to say is that periods don't normally trigger bipolar episodes in me, even though they do cause mood fluctuations. However, if I'm already going through a time where I am susceptible to bipolar episodes, I think my period can trigger relapses and intensify symptoms.

[99 FAIRIES]

I would go off the deep end into full blown mania every time i had a period. So I finally just went on the depo shot. Even still around the same time every month I will have some hypomania. But nothing like before.

[ultramar]

When you say 'mania' -what is your experience of this? Typically, it would be a mood that would last for days, weeks, months, and it sounds like you experienced something that lasted less than a day. Everything you've been diagnosed with, BPD, PTSD, and anxiety can cause frequent mood swings, and more frequent than what is typical of bipolar disorder.

Instead of labeling it (mania, etc.), I would write down in your chart (if you're not already) exactly what it is you are experiencing, what you're feeling, what precipitated it, how long it lasts, etc. I think bringing this specific information to your pdoc could be very helpful. All of your diagnoses involve intense moods (and anxiety, with the possible agitation, insomnia, etc. that can come along with it, can mimic hypomania), so it's going to be difficult to parse out in your case. Best of luck!