How COVID is affecting my PMDD

Whew, this last month has been crazy, to say the least.

Well, I caught COVID (after avoiding it for all these years, I guess it was my turn)

 Thankfully, since I did get both doses of the Pfizer vaccine/booster last year it could’ve been way worse but it still wasn’t fun at all.

I experienced congestion, body aches, headaches, fever, nausea, stomach pains, and insane fatigue for a few days. My doctor prescribed Plaxovid since I have asthma which helped immensely.

Then, my dad caught it a week after me so that was stressful and scary as well but thankfully we both recovered. The isolation alone(even if it was just for a few days) was messing with my anxiety and mental health.

Then, I got my period the week after.

My period was a few days late this time(which is rare for me) due to having Covid I am sure and my body being under a lot of stress. My last cycle wasn’t too bad but I felt worse/so sad and hormonal towards the end of my cycle (which is also normal for me)

Just when I was starting to feel better and was finally getting out a little bit and enjoying myself, I started to feel sick again. I truly thought it was just allergies since the weather has been unseasonably warm for this time of year(in New York) lol but as the week progressed, my symptoms got even worse and more intense.

After having soo much phlegm, feeling awful, and weird colors coming out of me(sorry for the TMI), I took some time off work to do a virtual visit with my doctor. He confirmed that I have an upper respiratory infection.

I am basically recovered now but still feeling congested, and fatigued, plus I have a terrible cough that is lingering. A steroid/antibiotic has been helping me but it has just been one thing after another lately-ya girl has been going through it over here.

My next period is about 5 days away and I feel like a hot mess. Being sick/worried about myself and my dad having Covid took a toll on me emotionally/mentally, but when you are also dealing with the beast that is PMDD, it makes matters 10x worse.

The last few days, I have been soo emotional, and sad, with so many negative thoughts, and just feel very off since having Covid/being sick this week as well in general.

I have been talking to some people in my PMDD Facebook group about it. They assured me that this is totally normal and it takes a while for your body/mind to adjust after having Covid but it is very frustrating. Before all of this, I felt like I was managing my PMDD/mental health so much better but now I am feeling very discouraged and defeated. I am really trying to show myself some compassion and grace, but PMDD isn’t easy to navigate when it takes over.

While doing my own research as well on Google, I came across this article that was very informative. According to the article: “Many women have reported that Covid-19 has affected their menstrual cycles; They have experienced blood clots, irregular periods, and worsened PMS symptoms.”(oh joy)

Reading this and talking to my fellow warriors is helping me to feel supported, not alone, and a little normal at least lol but it has been quite the journey.

I hope that in sharing what I am going through/how I have been feeling, it can help someone else to feel less alone. I wanted to be as honest and transparent as I could because whew the struggle has been real lol but I will keep on fighting. Please comment, subscribe, and share with a friend. Thank you always for the support warriors xoxo