PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) goes far beyond typical PMS, causing debilitating symptoms including extreme depression, intrusive thoughts, and reality distortion. FLOW's Sarah and Jessica sit down with Christina de la Riva, who shares her journey with diagnosis, shame, and initially thinking she was just "handling PMS poorly." Cristina also introduces the archetype of Lilith* as a framework for understanding PMDD, emphasizing how Lilith* validates the PMDD experience rather than pathologizing it.

*Often culturally constructed as a symbol of uncontrollable female rage, Lilith is reframed herein as an icon of wisdom, pleasure, and righteous anger.

As always, FLOW includes practical management strategies and a reminder to reach out for community support.

Program Notes:

Episode Links:

• International Association of Premenstrual Disorder (IAPMD) https://www.iapmd.org/pmdd-not-pms

• Pleasure Activism https://adriennemareebrown.net/

• University of Amnsterdam, Hermetic History Program https://ash.uva.nl/content/research-groups/history-of-hermetic-philosophy-and-related-currents/history-of-hermetic-philosophy-and-related-currents.html

• The Montrose Center / TX https://montrosecenter.org/

• Guest IG https://www.instagram.com/cristinadelariva/

• Guest Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinadelariva27/

How's Your Flow?

• We wanna know (Calendly link): https://calendly.com/flowtalk/flow-talk-period-pain-stories

Presenting Sponsor: #Takeda, visit bleedingdisorders.com to learn more.

Connect with BloodStream Media:

Find all of our bleeding disorders podcasts on

BloodStreamMedia.com

BloodStream on Facebook

BloodStream on Twitter

BloodStream on Instagram

BloodStream on TikTok

BloodStream on LinkedIn

Check out Believe Limited's Other Work:

Bombardier Blood: bombardierblood.com

My Beautiful Stutter: mybeautifulstutter.com/

Stop The Bleeding!: stbhemo.com

The Science Fair: thesciencefair.org

On the Shoulders of Giants: https://www.ontheshouldersfilm.com/