800,000 Women In The UK Have A Disease That Wrecks Mental Health. So Why Does It Go Undetected?

If you menstruate or know someone who does, you probably realize how often periods are downplayed or dismissed.

From jokes about menstruation to the way our concerns are often dismissed when people find out we're on our periods, it's really frustrating.

Although we've made significant strides in addressing the stigma associated with menstruation and related conditions like Endometriosis and PCOS, many individuals still feel overlooked and urgently require support and understanding.

Recent studies by the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) show that societal stereotypes concerning women can prevent those experiencing a mental health crisis from seeking assistance. Many women hesitate to reach out for help due to concerns that they might be perceived as overly dramatic or simply seeking attention.

Among those who sought help, 20% were informed that their mental health issues might be linked to hormonal changes, and 23% were questioned about their menstrual cycle, suggesting that these factors might somehow lessen the seriousness of their mental health struggles.

The Severe PMS That Needs More Attention

When we treat menstrual cycles as mere punchlines about being 'crazy' or 'overly emotional,' we trivialize the significant effects periods can have. This not only reinforces the stigma around mental health issues but also makes it harder for individuals who menstruate to feel comfortable discussing their experiences. Additionally, we overlook a serious condition called PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), which can significantly influence a person's mental well-being in the days leading up to their periods.

The mental health organization Mind explains that premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is an extreme type of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMDD triggers numerous emotional and physical issues that occur monthly in the week or two leading up to your period. It's often called "severe PMS."

Instead of simply being seen as overly emotional or unstable—which is a common stereotype for those who have menstrual cycles—PMDD can result in severe mental health challenges. This can include feelings of hopelessness, intense anger, and an overwhelming sense of loss of control. For some individuals, these symptoms can persist for as long as two weeks.

HuffPost UK interviewed Josie, 28, who explained that dealing with PMDD makes her feel as if her personality completely changes into a harsher version of herself each month. She also mentioned that due to her various disabilities, her doctors don't appear to prioritize her treatment for PMDD, viewing it as less urgent compared to her other health issues.

PMDD is recognized as a disability according to the Equality Act 2010, and both healthcare professionals and employers should acknowledge it as such. This condition affects 5-8% of menstruating individuals, which amounts to around 800,000 people, who endure its challenging symptoms each month.

Joan, who is 36 years old, shared her experience in discussing PMDD with her doctor. When she sought advice on how to manage her symptoms, the doctor gave her a brief response: ‘hormones or antidepressants, it’s up to you.’ Joan felt pretty discouraged by this answer. She had previously tried antidepressants without any improvement and felt that, in fact, hormones made her symptoms worse.

For people who don’t have PMDD, it can be difficult to grasp how intense the symptoms can be, even if they occur only once a month. However, those who live with this condition describe the symptoms as extremely debilitating and a significant source of worry.

We also chatted with Maria, who shared that she didn't have PMDD until she entered perimenopause. Once it started, however, she faced severe challenges, including suicidal thoughts, hearing voices urging her to take her life, sudden outbursts of anger, as well as intense feelings of anxiety and paranoia.

She mentioned that these symptoms impacted her family life, leading to conflicts between her, her partner, and their kids.

Diagnosing And Treating PMDD: What To Know

We had a conversation with Dr. Unnati Desai, the Medical Director at Skinfluencer London, regarding the treatment options for individuals with PMDD and the process involved in diagnosing the condition.

Dr. Desai explained that in order to receive a diagnosis, patients need to maintain a daily journal for a minimum of two consecutive cycles where they evaluate different symptoms.

A doctor will evaluate whether the symptoms are serious enough to make a definitive diagnosis of PMDD.

She explained, “Typically, for someone to be diagnosed with PMDD, the symptoms need to be intense enough to affect various areas of a woman’s life, such as her job, education, social interactions, and personal relationships.”

When it comes to treating PMDD, Dr. Desai explains that there are several alternatives to consider. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), vitamin B6 supplements, and the use of hormonal contraceptives to effectively pause ovarian activity, but this option is only suitable for those not planning to become pregnant. In more serious situations, hormone therapy or SSRIs might be recommended.

She also mentioned that if these treatment methods don't relieve the symptoms, the patient should be sent to a gynecologist who can provide treatments to suppress ovarian function.

In the most serious situations, especially for women who have finished having children, a gynecologist might suggest a hysterectomy along with prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and testosterone to safeguard their health moving forward.