Living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Emily Blout’s Journey
Emily Blout, a resident of Washington, D.C., experiences significant mood and personality changes during nearly half of each month due to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). She has lived with this severe hormone-related mood disorder since she began menstruating at age 15.
Personal Experience
According to Blout, for 12 to 14 days each month, her usual optimistic personality shifts dramatically. She becomes sad, angry, and unfocused, often breaking into tears without clear reason. Her interactions become tense, affecting her relationships with her husband and twin sons. She often finds herself staring blankly at her computer, unable to concentrate.
Understanding PMDD
The International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPD) states that PMDD affects about 1 in 20 women. Symptoms appear in the days leading up to a period and typically subside after menstruation starts. The brain responds to normal changes in estrogen and progesterone levels, leading to symptoms such as:
- Emotional and mood disturbances
- Fatigue and low energy
- Changes in behavior and appetite
- Feelings of being out of control
Intense Emotional Changes
Blout describes extreme anger in the two weeks before her period. On one occasion, during a trip to London, she was overwhelmed with anger towards her husband and booked a $2,000 flight home, only realizing her actions 24 hours later.
She also experiences two types of sadness. One she calls ‘stupid sadness,’ triggered by trivial things like Disney movies. The other is a deeper sadness that makes getting out of bed difficult, often paired with brain fog. This condition once caused her to run a red light, resulting in a car accident.
Seeking Treatment
After unsuccessful attempts with antidepressants and antipsychotic medications, Blout started taking Lupron (leuprolide acetate) 10 months ago. This hormone therapy induced a chemical menopause, eliminating her PMDD symptoms. Blout feels she now has time and clarity back, improving her relationship with her children.
Future Challenges
Blout faces a tough decision: undergo surgery to remove some reproductive organs or try experimental medications to prevent the symptoms from returning. She has tried many treatments, including antidepressants, birth control, and talk therapy but remains determined to avoid surgery if possible.
Research suggests that removing ovaries before menopause might increase the risk of memory issues or dementia, strengthening her reluctance for surgery. Meanwhile, Blout and many women with PMDD feel they are self-experimenting due to a lack of dedicated research funding for effective treatments or cures.
“Women with PMDD are basically experimenting on ourselves,” she said. “The system hasn’t deemed PMDD important enough to dedicate research funding to finding an effective treatment—let alone a cure.”