Those of you who have been following this site for a while may be aware I suffer from a chronic health condition known as PMDD. I haven’t written a PMDD post in some time, because I realise it may not be relevant to most of my readers. Nevertheless, I believe it is important to raise awareness of the condition, and offer support and information to those who may be suffering. As this condition affects up to 1 in 20 women of reproductive age, there must be many sufferers who have not yet been diagnosed, and who may not even have heard of this condition.
New publication on IAPMD website
IAPMD is the International Association of Premenstrual Disorders. They have some great resources for patients and their friends and family on their website, as well as resources for those who think they may have the condition, yet remain undiagnosed.
I often use my writing to get me through the darkest hours of PMDD, during my Luteal Phase. In recent months, I decided to do some advocacy work and give a blow-by-blow account of my symptoms during this time. I then sent this piece to IAPMD, and am delighted to announce that they have published it on their blog! If you want to know more about PMDD and how it affects me, you can read What Luteal Looks Like For Me.
I want to say a huge thanks to IAPMD for the work they do raising awareness, and providing support to sufferers. This condition is still not well understood, and getting a correct diagnosis and treatment can be an uphill struggle for many, especially when they are already battling a hugely disruptive health condition. For more information, do visit their website and follow their Instagram account.
Ingrid congratulations on getting this published, though. i am so sad that you have to go through this. It is great that you are raising awareness of this nightmare condition. You certainly raised my awareness.
Thank you Lorraine: I just can’t imagine how many women must be suffering without even realising what is wrong!
I know Ingrid. It must be awful not knowing. I think that so often, women’s health issues of this nature are overlooked as being just “women’s things.” We need more and more tesearch and a real desire to try and find a way of dealing with this issue. It really must be a nightmare to live. I remember having just ordinary PMS and VERY painful periods such that I would be screwed up almost vomiting and with the diarrohea that went with it. And that was bad enough. So to have what you and so many others have got must be awful.
You’re exactly right Lorraine: the same thing happened with endometriosis but thankfully that is better understood now. I just keep raising my voice and hoping people can hear!
Good on you I grid ❤️
thank you. am reading now.
Thanks David! 😊
Well. That was eye-opening!
🙁
David
Yes – a bit of a nightmare! I even have to be careful with my comments that I don’t become too negative or argumentative 😳
🤗 Ingrid 🤗
Congratulations on the publication, Ingrid! I can’t believe you get so much done when you feel so horrible a good deal of the time. Just having the kind of typical PMS was bad enough–I really didn’t experience that till I was older. Though I did get migraine-type headaches sometimes around my periods when I was in my late 20s and 30s. I’m not missing not having periods!
I won’t miss it either Merril, just dreading the menopause as apparently it gets worse before it gets better 😬
Sometimes writing is the only thing I can do when I’m feeling bad, as I need to be alone!
💙
What a harrowing time you have every month, Ingrid! I am amazed you still find time to do so many things. But I guess distraction helps. ❤️ So good of you to spread awareness about issues trivialised as “women’s problem”! 🙄
Thank you Punam – I think writing keeps me sane during these times ❤️
I agree…writing always helps to retain some semblance of sanity.
You are welcome. ❤️
Ingrid, my heart goes to you. I am sorry that you have to go through this. I truly admire you for speaking out and for giving voice to others too. Your work is much appreciated.
Congratulations on your publication and much love to you.
Thank you so much Gabriela: at least if in suffering I can help others, then some good can come of it ❤️
You are helping others Ingrid and that’s wonderful.
xoxo
Sorry to read you suffer with this. I hope it will eventually pass, perhaps with or after the menopause? Be well!
Thank you! It will pass after the menopause, but it could get worse before it gets better 😬
menopause
men on pause
never knew
the bloody clause
😆
😂
Congratulations on the publication Ingrid. Your voice gives solace and understanding to so many. I only wish relief. I just hope you go through early menopause.. LIKE NOW! It pains me knowing how hard this is for you and inspires me that you make the best of a crappy situation. 💖💖💖🤗🤗🤗Slay that dragon…. here you go.. 🐉🐉🐍🐉🐉🐍🐉🐉🐍🐉
I think I would like to bypass the menopause altogether. Do you know any surgeons? 😅 Some people say around the menopause is the worst time for this thing. I must find a good doctor before that starts to kick in. Thank you so much for reading and showing your support ❤️❤️
I would hope the shift in hormones would change that. I’ll keep my ears perked. Stanford and USF to have some amazing specialists
I can’t imagine it could get much worse/. zit’s my pleasure of course Ingrid!💖
Congratulations Ingrid! And thanks a lot for raising awareness about this issue. After reading the blog, I searched about it on the net as well. It is quite common, I found. Most of the times these things are termed as something that woman “have” to go through. I really hope more people get to know about issues and disorders like these, so they can be treated appropriately.
Thank you Ishita: that is my hope too! This kind of condition impacts both the sufferer and her friends and family, it’s not ok just to shrug it off as ‘another women’s problem.’
Exactly, Ingrid! Thanks for sharing about this.
Ingrid, I commend you for your advocacy work and congratulate you for your recent publication. I figured that your silence on the subject did not mean your were cured of PMDD. If only. 😔 More than anything, I applaud you for elevating above your PMDD and staying incredibly positive and productive. I am sure you will be a strong voice and shoulder for others dealing with similar challenges.
Thank you Michele! Perhaps my family would beg to differ that I am positive during PMDD 😅 but I try to remain productive ❤️
Of course! I suppose not. 😆 I do understand, but you continue to seek answers and now you are helping others – that is pretty positive, even if you are understandably cranky and tired.
Ingrid, it is good that you are raising awareness. I am sorry you suffer, but I admire that you don’t allow it to keep you down. <3
Thank you Cheryl. I suppose it helps that I have a ‘well’ period as well, when I can regain my energies and positivity ❤️
I read your guest post on your symptoms. It sounds dreadful. I cannot imagine having to experience this every month – 2 weeks out of 4! It is a credit to you that you achieve so much as a writer. Thank you for sharing this. I am sorry you have to suffer in this way. X
Thank you Deborah: I try to at least be grateful that I get two good weeks per month, and also that I’m usually able to write even when I can’t do anything else!
You are amazing
Thank you, Ingrid.
You’re welcome Jenna.