I have been told by my physician that caffeine, alcohol, and sugar aggravate this...I myself am considering the low dose antidepressants, I can't do hormone replacement due to being high risk for breast cancer, I have had two lumpectomies already. Handled it really well with excercise, and destressing until my periods reached the point that they are now totally irregular and have a mind of their own...I will beat this!!!! Here's to all of us, at least we have each other :)