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Last Updated:
Sep 10th, 2007 - 18:59:21
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Question
Hello! My daughter is 16-years-old. She doesn't report having problems with her periods. My concern is about her mood swings right before her period is about to start. She is ADHD and takes Concerta just to get her through the school day. She doesn't take this medication on weekends or all summer. This last bout with PMS was the worst we've ever experienced with her. She lost her temper and said some terrible things to me. It was awful! It's not what she does. It's what she says. She said things no one should ever say to their mother. It was like listening to an angry spue of anger toward me, God, and everyone. After she started her period, she was like a changed person!
Some have suggested that I take her to a gynecologist to ask about having her start taking BCP's. I know she wants to do her best to stay celibate as we have talked a lot about this. I don't want to encouarge her to have sex. I can't stand to be subjected to that horrid behavior, anytime soon! Please advise!
Answer
Thank you for your question, and your care and concern for your teenage daughter. You state "she does not report any problems with her periods" but has had very very severe mood swings before her menstruation starts, and once her period starts her moods are like a different person. This may be a symptom of her hormone levels, in particular her progesterone levels, when it drops very low before menstruation and starts causing a host of symptoms including the severe mood swings. This can be treated by replacement of her progesterone in the second half of her cycle. I would suggest you both go to a Fertility Care specially trained teacher for her to monitor her cycles and keep a good record; also to see a Creighton Model trained physician who can check her hormone levels and treat her as necessary. Teachers and physicians throughout California are listed at www.canfp.org. It may also help for her to take B vitamins or a good multi-vitamin. Re: the medication she takes for her ADHD,Concerta, you may need to check with her MD as to the dosage she takes, as there is a warning on the literature re: the drug causing hostility. BCP pills would not be good for these symptoms it only masks symptoms, and as mentioned in your concerns, may cause promiscuous behavior, causing more problems. I hope this helps you. If you need to find a teacher or MD in your area please feel free to call CANFP at 1-877-33-CANFP or check the website at www.canfp.org.
Theresa Mitchell
Theresa Mitchell is an RN and Natural Family Planning Practitioner teaching in the office Of Dr. Mary Davenport, at the Northern California Fertility Care Center, in El Sobrante, California.
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