PMDD at work: how to track it, talk about it and support it | Sally Leech | EP 109

Do severe mood changes before your period keep getting written off as just PMS?

In this episode, recorded live as a Henpicked Lunch & Learn session, Deborah Garlick is joined by Sally Leech, Director of Henpicked, to talk about premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): what it is, how it differs from PMS, how it is diagnosed and treated, and how we can support each other at work.

Together, we explore:

• [00:45] Why menstrual health is joining menopause and women's health, and why we are starting with the basics
• [01:45] What PMDD is, how the luteal phase fits in, and why it shows up differently from one person to the next
• [04:10] How PMDD differs from PMS, and why the terminology makes getting help so hard
• [07:40] Why nobody really knows what normal looks like, and why severe pain or distress should never just be put up with
• [08:56] The biggest myths, including that PMDD is just a bad period, a hormone imbalance or rare
• [11:10] Why PMDD is so often missed or misdiagnosed, including being mistaken for bipolar disorder
• [12:53] How PMDD is diagnosed, what premenstrual exacerbation means, and why tracking symptoms over at least two cycles matters
• [17:50] Getting the most from your GP, what to prepare and which questions to ask about treatment
• [19:18] Advocating for yourself, taking someone with you to appointments, and real lived experiences
• [20:52] How serious PMDD can be, and where to turn when symptoms feel unmanageable
• [21:30] Whether PMDD can develop later in life, and whether it runs in families
• [24:31] Treatment options, from diet and lifestyle to talking therapies, medication, supplements and surgery
• [27:31] Practical self help and building a toolkit for tough days
• [28:21] Period tracking apps, and why a diary or journal can say more than a list of symptoms
• [29:11] Key messages, and what you can do to raise awareness in your organisation

Sally is clear that PMDD is not a hormone imbalance and not something anyone should have to cope with alone. It is thought to be an extreme sensitivity to the natural rise and fall of hormones, and the menstrual cycle is the trigger, not the cause. There is no conclusive answer yet on whether it runs in families. What she is sure of is that tracking symptoms, learning the facts and asking for help can change what happens next, because there are ways to manage it. Her message is simple: you are not alone in this.

Whether you're wondering if your own symptoms are more than PMS, supporting someone you care about, or simply want to help break the silence in your workplace, this conversation is essential listening.

Find out more about Henpicked: henpicked.net
The PMDD Project: thepmddproject.org @thepmddproject
Samaritans (UK): 116 123, samaritans.org