In this week's episode of Is Anybody Listening? Sarah shares her journey with PMS, PMDD, and hormonal health. We discuss the generational shift from 'Just get on with it, this is just part of being female' to appreciating and encouraging individuality and open conversation.

Sarah tells us how, when presenting to the OBGYN with severe PMS symptoms, she was told she had two options: go on the pill, or get pregnant. We discuss the impact of birth control on our mental and physical wellbeing, and the importance of education, understanding, and autonomy over our bodies for transforming our health.

We touch on Sarah's role as a period and life coach, guiding women to understand and embrace their menstrual cycles, and the life-changing effect of such. We explore how to live in harmony with your menstrual cycle, and tips and advice for helping others understand your and their cycle, from children to partners, workplaces bosses and more.

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In this episode, we talk to Aishwarya about her experience with PMS and PCOS. Aishwarya discusses the impact of PCOS on her premenstrual syndrome symptoms and the challenges she faces when managing them.

We talk about her unusual PCOS diagnosis journey, the importance of acceptance, and the struggles of practising what we preach when it comes to self-love. Aishwarya shares the specifics of her PMS, including crashing energy levels, changes in personal motivation, and feeling socially withdrawn.

Our conversation touches on the need for support groups and resources to help females navigate all the stages of hormonal changes, and the societal taboos and stigmas surrounding female health, across PMS, PCOS, and menopause.

Aishwarya's story serves as an inspiration for empowering others to embrace their bodies and find enlightenment and acceptance.

Summary
In this episode, Min shares her experience with PMDD and the challenges she faced in getting a diagnosis. We discuss the impact of PMDD on work and self-confidence and emphasizes the importance of seeking medical help and therapy as soon as you need it.

Min also highlights the need for better recognition and understanding of PMDD in healthcare systems, and how empathy and is key for people with PMDD.

Takeaways

• Sharing personal experiences and stories is crucial for raising awareness and understanding of PMDD.
• Tracking menstrual cycles can help in identifying, preempting, and managing our symptoms.
• Getting a proper diagnosis and seeking medical help, including treatments and therapy, can be hugely beneficial for people with pre-menstrual conditions.
• PMDD impacts on all areas of our lives, from work and self-confidence to relationships and behaviour. In terms of work, opening up to your employers and making sure you're in a safe and supportive environment is really important. Flexible work arrangements can be hugely beneficial.
• Self-care practices, such as exercise, healthy eating, and stress management, can help alleviate PMS and PMDD symptoms.
• Support and empathy from loved ones and healthcare professionals are crucial for those of us living with PMS and PMDD.