Woman in UK diagnosed with PMDD after tracking periods

A woman shared her experience of tracking her menstrual cycle and its impact on her mental health. She felt deeply sad before her last period, even though she couldn't figure out why. The emotional turmoil followed a family loss, and she was fearful of slipping back into depression. After her period started, her mood improved significantly. She engaged in healthy habits like eating well and getting sunlight, but she still wondered about the previous emotional struggles. She decided to track her periods and moods using a tracking app called Flo. The app revealed a pattern: she experienced symptoms of depression in the days leading up to her period. This realization was initially upsetting for her, as she had been managing her periods for over 25 years without understanding this pattern. However, she soon recognized that life can be overwhelming, and she needed to be kind to herself. Motivated by the findings, she visited her doctor and was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This condition affects about 800,000 women in the UK and is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMDD can cause various emotional and physical symptoms before menstruation. Treatment options vary, including medications and therapy. Although she is still determining her next steps, gaining this understanding about her cycle has helped her find a path forward as she prepares for her monthly challenges.