Content advisory: this episode contains themes of suicide and self-harm
Joining Dr Louise on this week’s podcast is Wendy Barker. Wendy experienced postnatal depression after the birth of her first child in the late 80s and was later diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome.
‘For probably three weeks of the month, I was like a coiled spring,’ Wendy recalls.
‘And the only way that I would get anything sort of relief from that would be to either rage, scream, shout, and then there'd be the tears. And then I would think that's it until it starts all over again.’
Wendy movingly describes the impact of PMDD on her physical and mental health and her relationship with her family, her fight for a diagnosis and ongoing access to treatment, plus her advice for others in similar situations.
You can find more information about PMDD in Dr Louise’s book, the Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause. And you can listen back to episode 216 of the podcast with Dr Hannah Ward on progesterone, PMDD, postnatal depression and menopause.
Click here for more information on Newson Health.
Contact the Samaritans for 24-hour, confidential support by calling 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
077 - Spoon-Fed: Food & Tim Spector - Tim Spector & Dr Louise Newson
076 - Menopause and Employment Law - Victoria Duddles & Dr Louise Newson
075 - Premature Menopause & Fertility - Dr Rebecca Gibbs & Dr Louise Newson
074 - HRT Prescriptions in England - Dr Sarah Hillman & Dr Louise Newson
073 - Menopause in the Media - Kaye Adams & Dr Louise Newson
072 - The Menopause Charity - Vanessa Barnes & Dr Louise Newson
071 - Women’s Health Magazine - Claire Sanderson & Dr Louise Newson
070 - Bone Health & World Osteoporosis Day - Julia Thomson & Dr Louise Newson
069 - Managing Menopause as a New GP - Gregory Monk & Dr Louise Newson
068 - Going Through a Teenage Menopause - Ellie Waters & Dr Louise Newson
067 - Genitourinary Syndrome of the Menopause - Professor James Simon & Dr Louise Newson
066 - Gut Health and Addiction - Lindsey Beveridge & Dr Louise Newson
065 - HIV, Menopause & Sophia Forum - Sophie Strachan, Dr Nneka Nwokolo, Dr Jacqui Stevenson & Dr Louise Newson
064 - Early Menopause and Fertility - Jon Hughes & Dr Louise Newson
063 - Psychosexual Medicine and Menopause - Dr Stephanie Goodwin & Dr Louise Newson
062 - Menopause and Contraception - Dr Philippa Kaye & Dr Louise Newson
061 - The Hormone Pharmacist - Lindsey Lester & Dr Louise Newson
060 - Menopause Education & Fourteen Fish - Dr Mark Coombe & Dr Louise Newson
059 - PMS and the Menopause - Dr Hannah Short and Dr Louise Newson
058 - Changing the Perception Around HRT - Davina Mccall & Dr Louise Newson
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Good Mood Revolution
The Relaxback UK Show
Your Sleep Guru Podcast
Anxiety Slayer™ with Shann and Ananga
Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep
The Gary Null Show