“My daughter is prone to hormonal depression. What can I do?”

This is common in teens called premenstural dysphoria usually starts week before menses, symptoms gradually subsides once periods starts.
Regular physical activity, healthy diet, daily Vit B6
Magnesium and Calcium supplement do help.
In severe cases some SSRIs week before menstrual cycle have also proven to be effective due to high receptor sensitivity.
Please consult your local Obgyn and psychiatrist
as PMDD may comorbid with other psychiatric disorders.
Hope it’s helps!
Best

There is no question that hormonal shifts with the menstrual cycle can play havoc with the brain. We did an internal study at an imaging center for which I served as the medical director. We did functional brain scans (SPECT scans) with female volunteers among the staff at mid-cycle and right before their menstrual periods. The brain scans at mid-cycle looked normal and healthy and the scans before the menstrual period looked like the brains had been chewed on by rats. I am completely convinced that the brain is under attack by these hormonal shifts and have no doubt of the experiences women have reported to me about their thinking and their moods before the period. That said, I have found a number of things that can be helpful. Of course, first is the FDA-approved use of SSRI's (particularly fluoxetine) for 3 days before the menstrual period through the end of the period. This on and off use of an SSRI underscores that SSRI's increase serotonin almost immediately - within hours. Another approach is acupuncture. Some acupuncture practitioners understand these female issues and know how to help. I have not found supplements that are helpful. Another alternative is oral contraceptives. They tend to level out the swings in hormones that can reduce the assault on the brain.

Can try Prozac two weeks prior to her menaces

Great question a lot more common than expected. There are a few things that can be done, first talk with her pediatrician/ GYN about contraception as medications such as that can assist with decreasing symptoms. Also consider consultation with a child Adolescent Psychiatrist as some medications such as SSRI can also help, but please get professional consultation and follow up for her. Hope that helps.
Dr Sangra

Your daughter's age is important. Onset of her period 10-12 vs. 15-16. Though birth control is often a first choice, I think it is important to look at changes in your daughter's diet or the use of supplements prior to the use of birth control. Birth control is not without side effects and for some girls have worsening of their depressive symptoms. Sleep, exercise, and adequate Vitamin D and B12 are important. Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc are also important.

She should be evaluated by a psychiatrist for treatment for her depression. There are various medications that could help alleviate the depressive feelings.

David H. Lifschutz, MD

She could have a copper-zinc imbalance or even a more serious condition called PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). A very healthy diet, regular exercise, sleep are all helpful, as is possibly looking at her hormones to see if she has an imbalance that could be addressed either through nutritional supplements or medications may be indicated

Remove additives, and hormone disruptors from diet and environment. She may really benefit from removing inflammatory foods (dairy, grains, sugar). She would probably benefit from an medication to increase serotonin levels-such as prozac, 5HTP( a serotonin precursor) beginning with 50mg moving to 100mg, might be helpful. Probably 4-6 weeks would be worth using and it would take that long to see any benefit. St Johns Wort also can help in the same way that prozac would, the benefit of using a pharmaceutical rather than the natural St John's Wort is that meds are standardized. We know exactly what we are using, natural products have no standardization, each brand is a bit different.

Best Wishes!!

Help her with exercises and vitamins around this time. Some doctors prevent deep swings with calcium and GABA.

PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is common among women. Especially when a teen just starts her periods. It may take up to a few years for her period to regulate and hormonal imbalance may improve, but may not. There are some antidepressants that are used for it, and also some girls have contraceptive pills or different contraceptive methods prescribed by a pediatrician or gynecologist to reduce they symptoms of mild irregularity before periods. Also, if they are painful, it is better to check for any organic cause.

I hope it helps.

Mood changes around the time of menstrual periods are not uncommon. If significant and functionally impairing, medication or hormonal treatments are available. Consult your pediatrician or primary care physician. A gynecologist or child psychiatrist could be consulted if necessary.

Mood changes in the days before (or during) menstruation are common. When girls first begin menstruating, it may take time for them to recognize their own mood changes, rather than blame family members for causing conflict. Once people recognize their vulnerability to over-reacting, they may be able to learn coping skills from many sources - family, friends, trusted adults from school or a religious organization, primary care provider, women's health websites, etc. Severe, impairing mood changes may lead families to seek evaluation by a licensed mental health professional. Such a person may determine that treatment is appropriate, either with medication (i.e. antidepressants), or psychotherapy. Alternatively, some girls/women may benefit from consultation with their local primary care provider or gynecologist. Either of those providers could evaluate whether an oral contraceptive pill might, on its own, limit mood swings.

NB: This does not constitute medical advice, please see the disclaimer in my Expert Blog for details.