Raging hormones after first pp period, 12 months ?

[E m i c h i e e]

I am going through a really bad time now, and I am not sure if my period's return is causing this. My son is 17 months old and still only eating a small amount of solids throughout the day. His nursing barely decreased. He also still nurses at night.

Still, my period returned at 12 months postpartum and my PMS feel worse every time. I thought after 4 months, my hormones might have regulated, but I am experiencing more problems than ever. 

Aside from the PMS, I also have worsening acne, that is very severe at times, I am having mood swings and can't seem to keep it together emotionally. I don't want to leave the house.

Now my hair also started falling out again. The same way it fell out 4 months after delivery. In large amounts. Back then I was partially bald and it was devastating. 

I can't seem to find anything about raging hormones after the return of a period while breastfeeding, so I am just hoping and praying that someone here knows if this is common.

[pokeyAC]

[mama24-7]

I had terrible PMS after getting my period back at about 18 months PP.  It has tapered off.  I talked w/ my midwife about it & she said I'm older now, so things are different.  Makes sense, although it didn't help in dealing w/ it.

The acne, hair falling out, etc., makes me wonder if talking w/ your health care provider might be a good idea.  PErhaps get some blood work.  And, if you do, when you get the results, they're often given in a range & some HCPs will say your fine even if something is low or high in the range.  Well, that may be true for some people but not others.  I'd suggest you research the levels on your own.

Additionally, I've done a lot of reading about gut health/healing.  You may want to look at what this person has to say about it, especially w/ regards to your acne (but all the other things could be a part of it too - all our parts are connected, fortunately & unfortunately ): http://chriskresser.com/ Yes, he does counseling that I presume he makes money from, but it looks like a lot if not all of his website is free.  If this is your first child, I'd suggest you read more about gut health before having more children.  I didn't know diddly about it when I began having children & boy do I wish I'd known then what I know now.   That website may get you started on learning more, if you'd like to.  Oh, and I have no connection to the site, I think I've only been on it, maybe three times?  I just thought I remembered a post there about acne & it's connection to gut health (actually, lack of it).  So, I get nothing for you visiting it!

I know how hard PMS can be.  I hope you are able to find some answers. 

Best wishes,

Sus

[E m i c h i e e]

mama24-7

I am about to get some more blood work done on the 15th. But recent tests showed at least that my thyroid is okay.

I am 30 years old, not sure if that is considered older? 

Interesting you mention the gut healing. I am doing something of that sort, but with a Paleo Diet. I eat partially raw foods as well. Since avoiding certain things, I have been having bad reactions to Gluten, Grains, legumes, potatoes, soy etc., so I am sure my gut is much happier now.

After switching to Paleo I also had great skin, but it seems the hormonal chaos right now is really taking over.

One guess of mine is that my body has not healed enough yet to deal with hormonal ups and downs easily. I used to have a pituitary tumor and therefore raised prolactin, plus Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which have been gone since changing my diet (before I was just eating organic and not a lot of the typical bad foods like sugar, coffee, fried etc.), but maybe not gone enough for my hormones to be fully regulated?

Oh and I just looked at the site and it also talks about the Paleo Diet. :)