We talk about this “other person” that emerges during the days leading up to our periods. This person that takes over and puts us on a roller coaster of emotions for days, maybe weeks. I used to hate her. But with help, I’ve started to embrace her. Over time, I even learned to love her.

Mi nombre es Soledad. Sufro con el TDPM y cada vez se hizo más fuerte y evidente en mi vida. Al principio pensé que era bipolar, no hablaba de ello por vergüenza… Esta es mi historia.

Hello to everyone in the IAPMD community. My name is Meghan, and I’m from Mississippi, USA. I would like to share with you my journey and experiences with my new diagnosis, PMDD, and also living with autism.

In my good weeks, I felt on top of my game. I had lots of energy and could do all the normal things like going to work, socialising, being a good girlfriend, cooking, etc. In the bad weeks leading up to my period, I literally crawled into bed and wished I would die…

For a while, when people asked me to describe PMDD, I struggled. I couldn’t put into words what I went through every cycle, how I would be completely myself for a week then I would change into a person that I didn’t recognise in the mirror…

As my bad days stretched from 2 days to 4 days, I would question myself: Why am I feeling this on day 12 when I’m not supposed to feel bad til day 14? What if this isn’t PMDD? Am I just being weak and letting things get to me that shouldn’t? Why am I getting worse after all the work I do to stay healthy? Did I forget my supplements? Am I not exercising enough? This self-judgment made me feel so much worse because it made me question everything.

In the months leading up to my large mental breakdown and PMDD diagnosis, I had begun to use alcohol as a crutch for any and every negative emotion that my PMDD would bring about. Alcohol had become my vice, and I was frightened when I took a closer look at the habits that I had begun to develop…

I am the 74-year-old father of a 36-year-old daughter who suffers monthly from the most acute symptoms of PMDD that would light up any tracking chart…I’m determined to find relief for my precious daughter’s monthly traumatic suffering before my last breath; even then I will find a way.

In my follicular phase, I feel like my normal self: happy, healthy, well-adjusted, and in balance. The luteal phase is a whole different ball game. Progesterone becomes the dominant hormone, and we PMDD sufferers tend to feel terrible. Some people refer to this as ‘hell week’ though for me (and I am sure for many others) it is more like ‘hell fortnight.’

I was ecstatic when I was selected as a member of the Patient Insight Panel. I felt compelled to use my experience to advance the knowledge on PMDD. But I would be lying if I said that any part of it was easy. Truly it was one of the most emotional experiences of my life and some of the most impactful work I have ever contributed to