24-04-2025
Woman opens up on devastating reality of disorder every month
A woman has opened up on the devastating reality of a little-known disorder that affects 1 in 20 females across the UK - pre menstrual dysphoric disorder, otherwise known as PMDD.
Michaela Cromwell described the condition, which occurs during the luteal phase of a woman's cycle, as "menstrual bi-polar" as symptoms like depression, low mood and irritability often disappear when their period comes.
The 24-year-old, who volunteers for charity PMDD project, revealed the impact on normal life, including relationship breakdowns, feeling "crazy" for up to three weeks of each month and the struggles trying to mask debilitating symptoms.
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The disorder has recently made headlines as celebrities Vicky Pattison and Helen Flannagan opened up on their struggles with PMDD through the month.
The PMDD project holds workshops in Birmingham and across the UK to raise awareness and offer support to women suffering with the condition. Speaking at a Selly Oak workshop, Ms Cromwell told BirminghamLive: "I've had a lot of suicidal ideation, I've had depression in the past.
"If I didn't have my own support and family support, I probably couldn't be here right now. As sad as it is to say, it's reality." For her, the symptoms include depression, brain fog, discomfort, paranoia - similar to those associated with PMS, but on a more extreme scale.
She explained: "I tend to notice I have it for about three weeks on and off. Sometimes it can be longer or shorter - or a few days leading up to my period.
"It's dull and dark, it really affects normal life, relationship breakdowns, you don't feel normal. Menstrual bi-polar feels like the only thing that fits. As soon as your period hits it's like this relief - I feel an actual physical switch , like a wave come over me when it does hit.
"It's just a lot, it's overwhelming." When she was younger, she struggled to understand what was causing her extreme low moods and paranoia, but it's been a "relief" since she was recently diagnosed with PMDD.
"Earlier days I didn't really recognise it, I did a lot of journaling and self awareness," she added. "Now I look back, I'd go inside myself, not allowing other people to understand me, wanting to hide away from everyone, especially partners.
"I've lost friends from not keeping in touch, socialisation is really tough. I work retail so dealing with customers every day, I don't have the time in thirty second interactions to say 'I have PMDD' so it's like finding a way to mask it.
"Relationships aren't easy. Now, I struggle with communication. When the luteal phase is finished, you kind of feel normal again and think 'that wasn't worth bringing up, maybe it's not real, I only felt that way for two weeks'.
"You just let it all build up until it hits again. It's really tough relationship wise."
She was fortunate to have a GP who understands the disorder, as some women wait up to 12 years for a diagnosis.
She continued: "It was a relief when the diagnosis came, not that I'm going to find a solution but knowing what it is makes you feel less crazy. I don't have to second guess myself.
"It's like I know this isn't me, so I just feel crazy in my head."
For more information on PMDD, visit the PMDD project.
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