In an effort to better serve Premenstrual Disorder (PMD) communities around the world, we are now the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders!
In 2018, "Gia Allemand Foundation" became two separate organizations. Our existing organization as you know it was renamed the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) while Gia Allemand Foundation has separated from our organization to better focus on fundraising and suicide prevention.
Our expanded focus? Global awareness and leadership for PMDD and PME! This change will allow us to continue our mission of support, education, research, and advocacy on an international scale.
Our goal is to accelerate the progress being made around the world on premenstrual disorders and PMDD in particular. This change is an exciting opportunity to create more resources for PMDD sufferers while empowering providers to improve patient understanding and outcomes.
We've created the following FAQ to navigate this transition.
FAQ
- Why are you changing the name?
- Why International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD)?
- What is the difference between an "Association" and a "Foundation"?
- I am a member of Gia Allemand Foundation. What will change for me?
- Why IAPMD and not IAPMDD?
- What “underlying disorders” can show premenstrual exacerbation (PME)?
- Why "Premenstrual Disorders" and not "Premenstrual Mood Disorders"?
- Why are you going international? Weren’t you were always international?
- Does this mean multi-language support and resources?
- Speaking of diversity, does IAPMD have a diversity policy in place?
- Is peer support still going to be available?
- What does this change mean for those affected by PMDD?
- Will we still be able to access PMDD specific information?
- Does this mean you'll have offices around the world?
- Will IAPMD be available in every country?
- What about the annual conference?
- What about PMDD/PME education?
- Does this mean you won't be focusing on PMDD?
- What can I do to help in this effort? How can I be involved?
- What else will be changing?
- What is happening to the hummingbird logo?
- Will the EIN be changing too?
- What about social media?
- I have another question...
As our organization has continued to grow, we collectively realized a need for two separate entities: one entity focused on what we do now and another entity focused on grant making to other like-minded organizations. The name “Gia Allemand Foundation” is very special to the family of Gia Allemand for obvious reasons. Gia’s family and loved ones are seeking to re-open in the near future with the sole focus of raising funds to provide grants for PMDD research and suicide prevention.
The name IAPMD better communicates what we are: a global non-profit organization that provides membership and community services to those impacted by premenstrual disorders.
A foundation traditionally gives grants to other organizations. An association implies an organized group of people who have a common purpose or interest. That’s IAPMD! Through collaborations, major donors, grantmakers, and individual members, the IAPMD will play a unique role in changing the course of PMDs and supporting millions of people around the world fighting these conditions. While Gia Allemand Foundation has awarded research grants in the past, the majority of our organization's work has been, and will continue to be support, education, research and advocacy.
Your membership will continue with IAPMD. You can look forward to exciting new member benefits which will be rolled out soon. Thank you for being a member and supporting the work we do!
With our name change, we are also aiming to be more inclusive of other premenstrual disorders, beyond Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). As the first organization to focus on PMDD, we have come to realize the equally immense need to provide support, education, and resources to all individuals living with Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME). In addition to those suffering from PMDD, numerous studies and independent research have shown that as many as 49% of those self-diagnosed and medically diagnosed with PMDD may actually be living with PME of an underlying disorder. According to a recent international meeting of experts, both PME and PMDD can be categorized as “core Premenstrual Disorders”.
Here’s a helpful diagram to illustrate what we mean:
The short answer is, probably all of them.
The long answer is that It has been demonstrated that many different psychiatriatric disorders can worsen significantly prior to and during menstruation. Since not all women with psychiatric disorders are sensitive to hormone changes, some women with underlying disorders show worsened symptoms before or during their periods (PME), and some do not.
We know, however, that PME is a common problem, as it has been observed to be common in a variety of populations, including (but not limited to) females/AFAB with depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, borderline personality disorder, and those with chronic suicidality.
Research on this topic is rapidly progressing, and each year we learn about another disorder that can be complicated or worsened among women/AFAB who are sensitive to hormone changes.
By broadening our name to reflect this impact of the menstrual cycle across all psychiatric disorders in hormone sensitive women/AFAB, we aim to be a force for increasing awareness and action around both PMDD and PME of underlying disorders.
While in the United States, PMDD and PME are classified as Premenstrual Mood Disorders (PMDs) or Menstrually Related Mood Disorders, The International Society for Premenstrual Disorders (ISPD) and other medical organizations do not use the term "mood" in this classification. In keeping with international language used to describe PMDD and PME, we have chosen "Premenstrual Disorders".
Not at this time. Please visit http://endometriosis.org and http://www.pcosaa.org for support in these areas.
After five years of leading the way in PMDD patient support, education and advocacy, we’ve found the vast majority of the community we serve is English-speaking, caucasian, cis-gender female. Studies show that various minority and cultural groups have less access to care and resources and are often overlooked when it comes to advocacy and research. As a nonprofit organization, our services have always been available to anyone anywhere, regardless of geographical location. This name change indicates our commitment to being a truly diverse and international organization for all.
Yes! We will be translating of our website and resources to multiple languages as well as creating location-based content. This effort will take a considerable amount of time and financial resources and we are developing a short-term and long-term strategy to implement this goal. In the interim, we currently offer multi-language peer support using Google Translate services.
Yes we do! It can be found right here.
Absolutely! Get connected with peer support right here.
Those impacted by PMDD will soon find additional resources in a variety of languages, expanding access and tools for better patient outcomes around the world.
Yes! All tools, information, and resources currently found on our website will remain. As always this content will be continuously updated to reflect the latest in evidence-based research from around the world.
At this time, we are a virtual organization with no physical locations. By leveraging modern technologies, our board members, staff, and volunteers around the world are connected by the world wide web.
We hope so but this will take some time. Using virtual technologies, IAPMD already offers a variety of services to those in need regardless of geographical locations. As some countries have challenges to accessing valuable information, we will be working to overcome these cultural and technological barriers.
The PMDD Annual Conference will be back in 2019 and hosted by IAPMD (formerly Gia Allemand Foundation) inside the United States, although we hope to host future conferences in other countries! Conference content will continue to focus on both PMDD and PMEs.
IAPMD works to improve patient outcomes by educating and empowering health professionals to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care while empowering patients with evidence-based research, community engagement, and accurate information.
Expect even more educational opportunities for both professionals and patients!
Not at all! In fact, just the opposite. PMDD is at the core of what we do. PMDD is also a core Premenstrual Disorder! IAPMD will actually be expanding PMDD services to include those with PMEs.
Glad you asked! Creating an international, multi-language nonprofit organization takes a considerable amount of people power and financial resources. The best way to get involved is by becoming a supporter and make a donation today!
Be on the lookout for a new website that is focused on patient and provider resources, new website domain, updated tools and resources, re-branded social media channels, and a new logo!
The iconic hummingbird that currently represents our organization will be retired. In its place we are reviving our original spiralized flower that accompanied our name when we were NAPMDD (2014 - 2016).
IAPMD will have the same EIN as it does now (47-2480088). The new Gia Allemand Foundation will have a separate EIN when it is re-incorporated down the road.
Our social media handles will be changing on July 1, 2018. If you already follow us, there isn’t anything you’ll need to do. If you don’t already follow us, you should!
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