Fathwa, - Dealing with premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Question:
AssalamoAlaikum,
My problem is that a couple of days before bleeding starts, I start
having serious mood swings. I go into this phase of severe depression,
extreme tiredness and laziness,and pick fights with everyone. It gets
so bad that often I end upyelling and it causes severe dents in my
relationships. It seems like no matter how much I try, I just am
unable to control my anger. Please let me know if there are any duaas
I can make for my temper to not rise and to prevent such situations.
JazakAllah Khair.
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
Dear Sister,
I pray this message finds you in good health and spirits.
If you are experiencing severe depression and serious mood swings,
then you should consult a physician, who may prescribe medication, or
offer some suggestions for altering your behavior.
If you find that you only experience these symptoms right before
menstruation, after which they disappear, then there are several
approaches you can take. Keep in mind that each woman's PMS is
different. Therefore, what works for some women may not work for
everyone.
1. First, dua is a very powerful weapon. There are several duas you
can make for peace of mind and healing. Please see the following:
Can you tell me a dua to recite for restlessness?
http://qa.sunnipath.com /issue_view.asp?id=8621
Prophetic Supplications for Healing
http://qa.sunnipath.com /issue_view.asp?HD=7& ID=2945&CATE=105
2. Controlling anger:
The Prophet, peace be upon him, gave us many helpful tips for
controlling anger, such as performing ablution, seeking refuge in
Allah from shaitan, and holding our tongues. He said, "Whoever
believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain
silent." Do certainpeople or situations aggravate you? If so, why
don't you avoid them for those couple days? If you can't, then resolve
to modify your reaction to them. Take a deep breath and force yourself
to wait for at least 30 seconds before speaking. Try to defuse the
situation with humor. Women are likelyto understand what you're going
through. Male family members might not be as sympathetic, but you
canstill let them know that it's not personal. Give yourself an
incentive to behave. Why not give yourself a small treat if you manage
to get through PMS without losing your temper?
Also, remember that there are ways to cope with PMS, such as
maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly,
drinking lots of water, calming down with meditation, prayer, and
dhikr, and talking to your family and friends about what you're
goingthrough.
Finally, please see these articles on SunniPath:
Dealing with anger
http://qa.sunnipath.com /issue_view.asp?HD=7& ID=3295&CATE=17
And Allah knows best.