I have had horrible struggles with hormonal cravings since they began full force when I was 9 or 10 and had my first period (I was heavy and regular with terrible cramping, a long period and a short cycle from the very start).
It's definitely when I went from "chubby" to morbidly obese, very quickly.
If it's "tough" to resist cravings, but you are able to resist by reminding yourself of what you really want, that's pretty normal PMS, but if you find you have terrible mood swings, and out of control, truly not able to stop yourself from binging food issues, you might have PMDD (KILLER GODZILLA PMS), and modifying your periods can help.
For years, definitely since my teens, I had asked doctors about medications that could help. Birth control helped, but not enough, but stacking my Necon to prevent periods (sort of like a poor woman's Yaz or Seasonique - but don't do without talking to your doctor first), has helped tremendously. I had asked various (male) doctors for years, if using the bc that skips periods would help - and all advised against it. Then a woman doctor heading our weight management clinic told me that it was safe to try and that for some women it helps tremendously.
For me, it did. The difference is night and day. The "I'm going to die or go insane if I don't eat something" type of hunger is completely gone. Reducing carbs helps with cravings and hunger even more.
The weight loss is slow, largely because of other physical problems that have lowered my metabolism and make exercise difficult right now. But, the difference is so dramatic, that I'm convinced that if I had found this solution when I was younger and very active, the weight would have just fallen off.
Even now, while weight loss is difficult, I'm not obsessed with food 24/7, especially during PMS/TOM. It feels like I am finally in control (not fighting for control against hunger and food obsessions).
Just something to consider, if this sounds at all like you.
Last edited by kaplods; 09-12-2008 at 03:13 PM.
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