MY LIFE WITH PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) » diagnosis, symptoms, & helpful habits

[@GabHeart-rk6qm]

The rage is like so brutal. I want to cry about it. Sleep IS A MUST! SLEEP IS A NEEEED

[@GenevieveMason]

absolutely! sometimes I need up to 12hrs when I'm in my luteal or menstrual phase.

[@lavender_cappuccino]

I haven’t even known that such disorder exists! Thank you for spreading awareness!💕

[@ZuzanaXDD]

When I first watched your video a long time ago, I thought that you're perfect with a well organized life and it was great to watch... Now when you're more open and you're not afraid to talk about almost anything it's even better! You are still perfect, but you feel more like a human. This is gonna help soo many people!! Thank you Genevieve ❤❤

[@GenevieveMason]

I’m hearing that quite a bit lately! I have no clue how I’ve managed to come across that way haha… I’m definitely looking forward to sharing the “not so perfect” side of my life more! because I assure you, it’s there.- thank you for commenting! 💞

[@williamdreier6820]

It's related to inflammation. My wife has suffered with pmdd for 14 years and I tirelessly researched everything. I started thinking about going the holistic route and was referred to Dr Achina Stein. She has a video called "what if it's not depression" on KZbin and after I watched it, everything started to make sense. The majority of autoimmune and depression issues are related to our gut health, trauma and serious illness. My wife has returned to her self for the last 2 months after being bedridden for the previous 9 months, and I am so thankful I found this information.

[@GenevieveMason]

I'm so glad to hear she's feeling better! as someone who knows the feeling well, my heart goes out to her. PMDD can be so heartbreaking and isolating. it's really amazing that you've shown up for her and helped her along the way. I actually spoke with my naturopath at one point about the correlation between inflammation and mental health disorders and it is very connected. it didn't happen to be my case, but it has been for so many people. thank you for sharing this resource! I'll definitely check that video out!

[@troah3280]

Out of curiosity, what supplements did you and your wife use to help her as you mentioned?

[@Sannetje2004]

I’m curious too.

[@williamdreier6820]

​@@troah3280ultraflamax plus 360 and hpa adapt was the first step along with removing gluten and starting organic meats and vegetables. This Dr does a deep dive with many tests but if you start here first you will see a huge improvement. AVOID processed foods.

[@williamdreier6820]

​@@troah3280ultrainflamx plus 360 and hpa adapt for starters. Organic meats and vegetables, no processed food.

[@danas7631]

I also struggle with PMDD. It’s correlated with autism and ADHD as well, which I also have. I, too, have severe anxiety and it worsens during this time. I’ve been watching videos like this on the internet, and I feel very alone because I have frequent suicide attempts and suicidal ideation during my time of the month. A lot of the time it’s two weeks before my period. I’m in my 6th year of university because of my PMDD. Thank you for making a PMDD video, and providing awareness! I find that exercising like crazy helps.

[@GenevieveMason]

thank you for sharing 💗 I promise you are far from alone. if there's one thing I've learned from opening up about my experience with PMDD online, it's that SO many people are navigating the same challenges. one of my close friends is in a similar position as you, having PMDD and autism. it can feel particularly intense. your feelings are SO VALID. I know how hopeless it can feel sometimes, but more and more research is being done so there is hope. there's so much life worth living ahead. I promise you there are moments in your future that you'll want to be there for. sending you so much love. 💕

[@Metaphoreign]

Thank you for sharing about this! I think one of the most valuable things women can do for ourselves and each other is to speak openly about our cycles. Your tips are really great, very useful advice. Another I would add is herbal teas and pears! Pears are high in hydration, calcium, fiber, and potassium. I find having a few beautiful ripe pears on hand really helps to ease my cramps and soothe my digestion.

[@GenevieveMason]

I totally agree. I'm so happy there are more people talking about their cycles. I've learned so much through other people sharing their experiences. thank you for sharing these extra tips! I love pears so this is perfect!

[@taraschmidheini4674]

You are wise beyond your years! Being a woman is not easy. The more in tune you are with your body, the easier it is to detect. With mine, every health ailment I have is exaderated . The anxiety I used to experience was more like a very low tolerance to almost anything. Also for me, more responsibilities intensified symptoms.Hormones are complicated indeed. I already have an iron & magnest deficiency. Increasing my magnesium is a MUST 2 weeks before. Staying on schedule with my iron supplement is key. It took years to fing the right iron & magnesium that my body could actually absorb. And yes, calcium, I find myself naturally eating more calcium fortified foods 2 weeks prior. God has helped me manage my health & given me much wisdom. The health care system near me has failed me greatly. Hormones are no joke, you must recognize when theyre off, thats half the battle. Its a dysforia for sure.

[@GenevieveMason]

oh it sure isn’t!! haha.. I totally agree with you! learning how to listen to your body is the best way to take care of yourself. there’s so many things I wouldn’t have been able to treat otherwise. I’m so glad to hear that you’ve found things that’ve worked for you!

[@taraschmidheini4674]

@@GenevieveMason Thanks for taking the time to reply sweet Angel 💕

[@annemeluch2276]

thank you for including gender-diverse terminology to include intersex, trans men, nonbinary/genderless-fluid people, etc. I also love how using this technology helps women who do not experience a period feel like they are not any less of a woman.

[@GenevieveMason]

of course! this video is meant to help people and I'd hate for anyone to feel uncomfortable or left out. I have quite a few friends/family members that identify as non-binary or genderfluid so I know how important inclusive language is 💗

[@northerlyartemis]

I have PMDD and the worst thing g for me is the rage. I get so angry!

[@carolmason3805]

All this information is so hard to listen to for empathetic people. This is going to help people so much.! Great video!

[@GenevieveMason]

I hope so!

[@hanahassan849]

I am have it now and i feel the whole world is falling and i cant breath , crying all the Time , this is not normal , i know it will pass, even my body is hurting and fighting , Family are really gold and friends also, God is also there 😫❤️🫶🏽

[@GenevieveMason]

sending you so much love 💗 I'm right there with you, pmdd is brutal.

[@hanahassan849]

@ Thank you dear, it really is ,i believe we just need to keep going

[@maddybarnham]

I felt so relieved being diagnosed with PMDD. I thought I was crazy it felt so good to have something explain what’s happening. My doctor has me on Zoloft and the pill. I took Zoloft first and helped so much. Started taking the pill and it’s good but I feel a lot of what I need to feel to release negative emotions is suppressed. It’s weird idk

[@GenevieveMason]

I totally get that. I'm on the nuvaring, and it's been a bit better in that way compared to when I was on the pill, but sometimes it still does feel harder to process emotions. same goes for my anxiety medication (citalopram). there's ups and downs either way :( 💗

[@kathleen444]

love that you said "people that experience menstruation" 🥰🥰

[@GenevieveMason]

gotta think about my non binary besties 💞

[@kathleen444]

@@GenevieveMason and transmen too !♡

[@Homebodylady]

Thank you! I am 34 and realizing now two weeks out of the month I just suck LOL. And that’s ok. Ugh pmmd sisters.

[@GenevieveMason]

sending lots of love! pmdd is the worst! I completely get it 😭💗

[@chantalleledesmaa]

that's how i felt when i got diagnosed with autism, i felt a weight release off of my shoulder. i knew there was a reason why it was hard for me to make friends why it was hard for me to make eye contact with people i knew i wasnt just weird or akward or rude (when not making eye contact with people)

[@GenevieveMason]

I can imagine! I'm so glad you finally got the confirmation you needed 💗🫶🏻

[@cIaimthestars]

I also struggle with PMDD, and what helped me was starting the progesterone-only pill in combination with antidepressants. Not gonna work for everyone, but thought I'd put it out there for people wanting to try anything and everything ♡ I know the desperation. And the dread of knowing what's to come every month.

[@GenevieveMason]

thank you for sharing this info!! as someone that knows the struggle, I'm SO happy to hear you've found something that's worked for you 💗

[@sharlenemorrow6769]

@claimthestars how did u get on with pill

[@mariastans]

How was the diagnosis like for you? Some people have said they have to record the symptoms they have for a certain amount of time

[@BeingTheBraxtons]

I’m trying a low histamine diet and it seems promising

[@GenevieveMason]

@@BeingTheBraxtons I haven’t tried this yet! Im going to look into it 💗

[@faithlouis19]

I loved this video you did🥰🥰

[@GenevieveMason]

thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it 💗

[@sandyvdh6226]

We need more honest vlog content likebthis.■ more mental health vlogs please!!!

[@GenevieveMason]

noted! thank you for watching! 💗

[@kalikashmir]

Has any medication worked for this? Tried Zoloft and then Prozac, almost 9 months since figuring out what's going on with my body, and neither has seemed to work well. Like half my life is being taken from me due to this disorder.. 2 weeks of misery and 2 weeks of being "okay" (recovering and dreading the next pmdd episode)

[@GenevieveMason]

@@kalikashmir literally the story of my life.. I’m so with you on this 💗 I’ve tried escitalopram, prozac, and I’m currently on citaloptam (40mg for the folicular and ovulatory phases and 60mg during my luteal and menstrual phases) which I’ve been on for the longest. the first two did nothing, and I was able to get a few good months on citalopram. honestly I’m right back in the trenches now though :(

[@findingaway5512]

Do you have ADHD at all. I am asking because I know that hormonal things greatly effect women with ADHD. They are more likely to have issues during puberty, with PMDD, Post partum depression, and approaching menopause. Not saying that is your case just curious or mad be something to look into. Also since hormones effect you be careful/ monitor if you are using hormonal birth controls because that can cause issues with people who are hormone sensitive.

[@GenevieveMason]

It was something I looked into a one point, but I don’t believe I have ADHD. I do however, definitely have PMDD, which can affect anyone that menstruates, regardless of age- I have also had my hormones tested a few times in the last two years, and there are no issues there. the symptoms I experience are caused by PMDD, not a hormone imbalance.

[@findingaway5512]

@@GenevieveMason okay thanks was just curious since there are a bunch of us out there. Thought it may be worth mentioning.

[@MarianaFerreira-l1f]

does the anhedonia (lack of pleasure) go away once we get our period?so would that be pmdd that we were depressed before it appearing?

[@GenevieveMason]

PMDD usually affects people the most during the week before and week of their period. some feelings of depression can part of that, just like anxiety can, especially if someone already has experienced depression and/or anxiety in their life. after the period ends is typically when someone would start feeling happier and more like themselves again.

[@MarianaFerreira-l1f]

:)