Hello starfish,
I just wanted to assure you that perimenopause can indeed make severe pms and pmdd worse. It has for me. I have have pms my entire adult life but in the last year the moods went through the roof. I felt totally out of control and unsafe with myself. I was fortunate to have an understanding gp, who told me peri can worsen pms\pmdd and worked out a programme of hrt to try to suppress my natural cycle.
I am on the mirena coil for the progesterone as I felt this gave me a bit more stability rather than the oral utrogestan I was on, and gradually increased my patch to 125. This was about 3 months ago, and although I still get pms, it is nowhere near as bad as it was. I genuinely had suicidal thoughts on the run up to my period. ( no actual bleeds due to coil).
from my personal experience, I agree with CLKD, I think your mental health has been affected by hormones. I should add my gp suggested using an anti anxiety medication in the week or days leading up to my period. I found this helped me so much I now take it, with their knowledge every day of the month.
Although you have seen one specialist, is there another dr at your practice you can speak with? someone with an interest in women's health?
Use the search button on this forum too. Many women sadly sure anxiety, and horrific moods brought on by changing hormones, just so you know you aren't alone.