The Board of Directors of Gia Allemand Foundation for PMDD announced today its decision to become two separate organizations in order to better serve Premenstrual Disorder (PMD) communities around the world.  

Over the next three months, "Gia Allemand Foundation" will become two separate organizations. The existing organization will be renamed the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) and the Gia Allemand namesake organization will seek to re-open in the future to focus on fundraising and suicide prevention. 

“IAPMD is going global!” according to Sandi MacDonald, board chair of IAPMD. “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 sufferers while empowering providers to improve patient understanding and outcomes.”

As the leading organization focused on premenstrual disorders (PMDs), IAPMD will focus on global awareness and leadership for two core PMDs: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME) of underlying disorders. The change will allow IAPMD to expand its mission of support, education, research, and advocacy on an international scale. 

PMDD is a debilitating, life-threatening hormone sensitivity that impacts 1 in 20 women/AFAB of reproductive age., A staggering 60 million suffer worldwide and leads 15% of sufferers to attempt suicide to escape the relentless emotional and physical pain. It lasts for days to weeks on end in the premenstrual phase, every single month. PME is another common condition resulting in worsening of pre-existing psychiatric disorders prior to or during menstruation due to hormone changes and sensitivities. Research shows that as many as 50% of those self-diagnosed or medically-diagnosed with PMDD may actually be living with PME of an underlying disorder.

IAPMD will also help drive what’s been called “the next wave in the reproductive rights movement” -- a groundswell of sufferers and activists around the world raising their voices and organizing to fight for lack of awareness and understanding around Reproductive Mental Health and for respect and access to treatment options. 

“The name IAPMD better communicates what we are: a global non-profit organization that provides membership and services to those impacted by premenstrual disorders,” according to Amanda LaFleur, (former) Co-Founder & Executive Director, IAPMD. “IAPMD will play a unique role in changing the course of PMDs and supporting millions of people around the world fighting these conditions.”

Contact:

Sandi MacDonald

Co-Founder & Executive Director, IAPMD

sandi@iapmd.org

1-800-609-PMDD (7633)

#  # #