Postnatal depression, PMDD and menopause: Wendy’s hormone journey

Content advisory: this episode contains themes of suicide and self-harm
Joining Dr Louise on this week’s podcast is Wendy Barker. Wendy experienced postnatal depression after the birth of her first child in the late 80s and was later diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome.
‘For probably three weeks of the month, I was like a coiled spring,’ Wendy recalls.
‘And the only way that I would get anything sort of relief from that would be to either rage, scream, shout, and then there'd be the tears. And then I would think that's it until it starts all over again.’
Wendy movingly describes the impact of PMDD on her physical and mental health and her relationship with her family, her fight for a diagnosis and ongoing access to treatment, plus her advice for others in similar situations.
You can find more information about PMDD in Dr Louise’s book, the Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause. And you can listen back to episode 216 of the podcast with Dr Hannah Ward on progesterone, PMDD, postnatal depression and menopause.

[@catmozzy6106]

Thank you so much Wendy and Louise. Because of you I now realise my lovely daughter has probably been suffering from PMDD for many years. Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your symptoms in such detail. And thank you, Louise, for explaining that progestogen will not have the same benefits as progesterone. This is huge for our family.

[@SM-xs3yh]

Thank you for sharing this it was invaluable . I had some of the issues that you had and the GP didn’t have a clue how to help me.

[@Maria-ee8lm]

Oh my goodness! This is a story I completely resonate with.

[@emsans5904]

Such a tragedy that so many woman, millions I would argue, have had to suffer through this. My best friend committed suicide in 1994 about 2 years after the birth of her daughter. It’s only over the last few years, experiencing my own hormonal issues, that she was in fact suffering with PND.

[@Sbag3588]

Thankyou Wendy for sharing. I relate to your experience so much

[@anne-louisegoldie]

Thank you Wendy 💛

[@hayleyford8233]

What was the treatment she ended up having that worked? Mirena coil & estrogen patches?

[@janemasini356]

I'm suffering from a bad perimenopause as I suffer from pms and postnatal depression, I and underactive thyroid,is this why I'm having a bad menopause?❤

[@danagodfrey2979]

Thankyou for sharing cheers

[@ritalavictoire5529]

Thanks

[@marwaelsayed9451]

Dr Louise I would like to be seen by you via telehealth, I am in USA and cannot find someone to help me

[@RachaelHides]

PMDD is valid. Does not matter if it’s labelled or not. Its an absolutely disabling condition. I disagree just lifestyle, healthy eating rarely helps true PMDD.

[@carolinepeterson7676]

Can I wear two 0.025 at the same time? I have three unopened boxes and I have osteoporosis, so that isn’t enough estradiol for me. Or do I have to get my 0.05 prescription filled instead? Does it work the same as wearing one 0.05 patch?

[@user-so3hi3hp6y]

Yes Caroline you can wear 2 patches to get the total oestrogen dose you need x

[@carolinepeterson7676]

Thank you so much for answering my question. I just thought of how wasteful it would be to not use them. @@user-so3hi3hp6y

[@jessicahitchens6926]

I don't think that PMDD label is valid. It's a hormonal dysfunction. Homeopathic medicine will help so much. Changing lifestyle and eating habits too.