PMS affects between 3 and 8 per cent of people who menstruate,while PMDD affects only one in 50.Credit:Stocksy
Genevieve,29,was blown away by the intensity of her mood swings. When they struck,fury would surge through her body. “There was a lot of rage,depression … and just extreme anger and hopelessness.” That anger was both exhausting and saddening.
“I cried all the time,” she says. Genevieve didn’t realise that these floods of emotions,which only happened every few weeks,occurred in the lead-up to her periods.
It wasn’t until she saw a Facebook post about premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – a condition that causes extreme mood changes in the premenstrual phase – that she put two and two together.
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Soon after,Genevieve saw a GP,who diagnosed her with PMDD and started her on antidepressants. Unfortunately,the medication made her so drowsy she felt she had no choice but to stop taking them.
Frustrated,Genevieve began looking into “more natural” approaches. She read about dietary changes that could help,and began eliminating gluten,dairy,refined sugar and caffeine. She also started exercising five days a week and saw a naturopath,who put her on herbs and supplements.
This combination of factors,Genevieve says,was “literally life-changing”. For the first time in years,she was no longer suffocated by rage or sadness in the lead up to her period. “I still get a little bit grumpy,” she says. “[But] I don’t get angry as much.”