Emily Blout, a resident of Washington, D.C., has shared her experience with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe hormone-related mood disorder. Living with PMDD has significantly impacted her life since she began menstruating at the age of 15. Now 42, Blout explains how her upbeat personality transforms into sadness and anger for about half of each month.
“For 12 to 14 days every month, I become a different person,” Blout shared. “I find myself feeling sad, angry, and unfocused. I might cry suddenly, lash out at my husband and 11-year-old twin sons, or sit for hours in a daze at my computer,” she continued.
Understanding PMDD Symptoms
The International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPD) states that PMDD affects about 1 in 20 women. Symptoms typically emerge before a period and vanish as menstruation starts. This occurs due to the brain’s response to normal hormonal changes involving estrogen and progesterone. PMDD symptoms encompass:
- Emotional and mood disturbances
- Fatigue and low energy
- Behavioral and appetite changes
- A feeling of losing control
Experiencing Intense Emotions
Blout experiences pronounced emotional shifts in the two weeks preceding her period. “I feel an immensely intense anger,” she noted. Recalling one incident, she was so overwhelmed by anger during a trip to London that she impulsively booked a separate $2,000 flight home.
Eventually, when “the cloud” lifts, she struggles to comprehend her previous reactions.
She described dealing with two distinct forms of sadness. The first, which she terms “stupid sadness,” occurs when mundane things, like a Disney movie, trigger uncontrollable crying. The other is a deeper sadness accompanied by brain fog, making even getting out of bed challenging.
“Last year, while driving to work, I ran a red light due to being so spaced out, leading to a total car crash,” Blout recalled.
Seeking Treatment
After attempts with antidepressants and incorrect diagnoses, Blout began receiving treatment 10 months prior with Lupron (leuprolide acetate), a hormone therapy that halts the production of sex hormones like estrogen. This therapy induced a chemical menopause, alleviating Blout’s PMDD symptoms.
“I have never felt what a regular life is like until now,” Blout expressed. “I have time and clarity back. Everything is better, and my sons once again have their mother,” she added.
Navigating Treatment Options
Blout now faces a choice between surgery to remove some of her reproductive organs or trying experimental drugs to prevent her symptoms’ return. After exhausting numerous treatments over the years, Blout is weighing her options carefully.
“My husband and I have reached our limit,” she commented about the ongoing struggle. Though she consulted a surgeon about removing her ovaries and fallopian tubes, she remains cautious about surgery due to its potential risks.
Research indicates that ovary removal before menopause could raise the risk of memory issues or dementia, which discourages Blout from this option.
“Currently, I feel stuck waiting for natural menopause,” she said.
Blout highlighted the broader issue, noting, “Women with PMDD are, in a sense, conducting our own experiments. The system has not prioritized PMDD to warrant significant research funding for effective treatments or a cure.”
Leave a Reply