How do you manage the monthly mess that is called Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder? These are 7 things that I do to make my luteal phase a little bit more bearable and it is all rooted in self care. PMDD manifests itself differently to each person so you might need other things than I do. Take the tools from this episode that serve you!

This episode might also be helpful to you if you suffer from any other pre menstrual symptoms, it's not just limited to PMDD .

And as always: if you are worried about yourself or others, please seek professional help and talk to your GP.

The therapist collective I mention in this episode are The PMDD Collective: https://www.thepmddcollective.com/

'Your hormones are raging through your body' - anybody ever tell you this? Or maybe you said it yourself: 'I feel very hormonal'. Well, you are hormonal all the time! Without hormones your bodily functions wouldn't work properly.

I was interested in the hormones that are associated with the menstrual cycle: where do they come from and what do they do? What does hormonal health actually mean?

My resources for this episode were:

📚 'Woman Code' and 'In the FLO' by Alisa Vitti

📚 'Period Power' by Maisie Hill

📚 '50 things you need to know about periods' by Claire Baker

💻 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SPRPkLoKp8

💻 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15706790/

Keep on sending your period stories to [email protected]

This chat with Cara blew me away! It was like I was sitting in a session with her as she talked me through her tips on how to manage PMDD through nutrition. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to her and I am convinced you will find it helpful too!

Get to know Cara:

Cara is a BANT-registered clinical Nutritional Therapist based in Oban.

Cara runs her own busy clinical practice and also works as part of a multi-disciplinary team of functional doctors and Nutritional Therapists at Mosiac Medical, the UK's first, doctor lead functional medicine practice.

Cara consults with clients across the UK, on a wide and varied range of health concerns and conditions, however, her burning passion and area of specialism is women's health, fertility, preconception, pregnancy and hormonal health.

Cara is passionate about the effect of applied biochemistry on the body and its many interlinked systems. She knows the power of food and strives to empower her clients with that knowledge so that they can affect positive changes in their lives and futures. She believes in simple, evidenced-based interventions where the clients lived experiences and personal circumstances are put at the heart of every protocol.

Socials where you can find Cara:

https://www.cararedpathnutrition.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cara_redpath_nutrition

Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theperiodpt

In this episode I am talking to the amazing Anna Lintilla who has ADHD and a menstrual cycle.

She is currently studying a degree in applied psychology with the intention of becoming a clinical coach for adults who have ADHD. Together with her fiancé she has set up the ADH(we) Instagram page at the back end of 2021, after being diagnosed with ADHD themselves.

By documenting their thoughts and experiences as neurodivergent folk, they are hoping to increase public awareness and understanding of the neurotype. They also run a free ADHD community support group in Scarborough - Yorkshire Coast ADH(we).

YC-ADH(we) hosts an online community and organises in person meetings twice a month, providing a safe, accessible and inclusive space for all ADHDers to come along and feel welcomed.

I learned so much from Anna and enjoyed her period stories very much!

Links to mentions in the podcast:

Anna and Jake's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adh__we/

Roe v Bros Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roevbros/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/

How to ADHD Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoADHD

Jess McCabe TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiwZQNYlGQI

I hope you enjoy this episode! Write in your period stories so I can read them out on the pod by emailing them to [email protected]

And follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theperiodpt

TRIGGER WARNING: this episodes contains mention of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Help and support is available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.

Phone a helpline

These free helplines are there to help when you're feeling down or desperate.

Unless it says otherwise, they're open 24 hours a day, every day.

You can also call these helplines for advice if you’re worried about someone else.

Samaritans

Call 116 123

Email [email protected]

Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder is what I got diagnosed with after 15 years of battling with my mental health. It is the reason why I became The Period PT and started The Period Pod. And whilst these are things I am very thankful for, the PMDD monster still takes over each month. In this episode I will briefly outline what this disorder means and I will share my story and how I cope with it.

Links mentioned in this episode:

The PMDD Collective: https://www.thepmddcollective.com/

The International Association for Pre Menstrual Disorders: https://iapmd.org

Find me on:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theperiodpt

Patreon: www.patreon.com/theperiodpt

How many times did you read new information about your menstrual cycle and did you think: ‘Why did I not know this?’ And ‘Why didn’t anyone tell me this before?!’ I have this moment at least once a week, angry at society for not teaching me about my own body. So that’s exactly what I am going to do in this episode: give you and myself the lesson we should’ve had in school. Get your notebooks ready and listen up to Periods 101.

I want to know your period stories! Write me an email or send me a DM on my Instagram:

[email protected]

www.instragram.com/theperiodpt

Have you ever exercised according to your cyclical fluctuations? It will change the way you look at your workouts!

Become a period warrior and sign up for my monthly memberships where you receive weekly pre-recorded and LIVE workouts all synced with your menstrual cycle:

www.patreon.com/theperiodpt

In this episode I will tell the story of how I became obsessed with the menstrual cycle. How I was put on the pill at the age of 15 by my GP to the moment 15 years later when I realised my depression was actually cyclical.

I want to know your period stories! Write me an email or send me a DM on my instagram/facebook:

[email protected]

www.instragram.com/theperiodpt

Have you ever exercised according to your cyclical fluctuations? It will change the way you look at your workouts!

Become a period warrior and sign up for my monthly memberships where you receive weekly pre-recorded and LIVE workouts all synced with your menstrual cycle:

www.patreon.com/theperiodpt