The hormonal elements of PMDD are so vast and hard to grasp that it is no wonder we are all confused about progesterone. It is even harder to comprehend what is synthetic, what is Bio-identical and how they work within one particular women. In terms of individuality, some women are also intolerant of progesterone, sometimes synthetic, sometimes both , which also adds to the mystery and indeed the misery of this reproductive depression.
In terms of understanding and explaining, it is hard to believe that the difference between natural progesterone and synthetic progestin is not widely understood. Even more importantly, the effect of progesterone both synthetic and natural, varies widely between women, so what is one women's misery is another women's cure! No wonder we are all in a quandary about what is working and what isn't!
Progesterone itself matches a women's body exactly, and therefore is an exact natural structural copy and will have a perfect fit with the bodies natural receptors. Some women however are intolerant to their own progesterone, so as soon as it is released during the late luteal phase, they will have an adverse reaction (PMS or its ugly sister PMDD).
Progestin (Synthetic progesterone) works in a slightly different way and so can produce both desired and undesired effects. So it can also lead to mental instability, as well as being a cure for PMS/ PMDD in some women. It can also be synthesised from undesirable sources ,which can also be a concern. (horses urine for example).
Here's an example of my own experience with progesterone.
When I had my second child, I used natural progesterone, Cyclogest, which is available in suppository form on prescription in the UK. This immediately helped me with my Postnatal depression which was so severe, it was classed as psychotic. I also used it as a preventative when I had my third and last child, and was able to avoid the plummet of hormones after delivery. It is this rapid tailing off of hormones which can often lead to PND in so many women. So the hormone sensitivity is so prominent, it can create emotional turmoil in many women and even be catastrophic as the body struggles with the sudden change in hormones.
However, when I used a synthetic hormone such as the contraceptive injection, or indeed any birth control, I suffered a reaction so severe that I thought I was losing my mind . The reaction was within 2 hours in fact, and took months to right itself. You can read more about this episode in my book 'I blame the Hormones', and what worked for my own PMDD. My own emotional fallout from the synthetic was life-changing, and was even the catalyst to becoming an activist for the sufferers of PMDD.
Others have found the opposite to be true! Some have found the birth control pill to be extremely effective at managing the symptoms of PMDD, while others use the Mirena coil with a good response. Some swear on using the Oestrogen patch, whilst others wouldn't touch it with a barge poll for fear of the result. This inexplicable and complicated diversity between us ladies is what makes PMDD so difficult to manage. It is also the reason for so much complicated dialogue between sufferers and professionals alike, with us endlessly arguing about what works and what doesn't.
PMDD really is a minefield when it comes to finding a 'one fixed protocol' for the treatment and management of this evil disorder. And the answer to that is, there is no one fixed answer!
The mystery of Progesterone is still being endlessly researched and we can only hope that this research will find more answers in the battle for emotional stability. It is what I'm campaigning for, and my wish for the future is that there will be one fixed regime in the management of all mood disorders. I'm hoping that for the next generation at least, we will have some answers. This is particularly important to me as I have 8 nieces in my direct blood line (one of whom is just 13) and she is already giving me cause for concern. Heart-breaking for me to see as you can imagine.
I blame The Hormones can be downloaded onto Kindle, Smartphone, PC or any tablet. I hope it helps you unravel the mystery of your own illness and how you can find freedom from your own disorder. In the meantime please leave me some feedback as I'm always so happy to find out what has worked for you! Swapping tactics is the only way, and serves us all indeed.
God Bless.
Suzi x
Tuesday 12 January 2016
Wednesday 6 January 2016
An Amazing year for I Blame the Hormones!!
This is my first blog for 2016 and as we turn the calendar we are filled with hope and anticipation for the year ahead. For ' I Blame the Hormones', 2015 was a year in which more sales of this publication can only mean more awareness is raised.
That means for all mood disorders, regardless of origin,but more so for sufferers of reproductive depression, and the monthly misery of PMDD.
As the battle for more research rages on, more and more sufferers come forward, and never before have there been so many forums of discussion and dialogue. People are endlessly researching and striving for recognition of a misunderstood condition which at times is shrouded in mystery and has had very little limelight. This has to change, and publications such as I Blame the Hormones, which has just recently been bought by a German publishing house, have to take president in educating the non-believers. Still too often we hear that sufferers are being fobbed off with the lack of knowledge and professional expertise needed to manage the crippling symptoms of PMDD. Still people refuse to believe that the disorder exists and is an exaggeration or a need for attention. As far as I am aware, there isn't as yet one particular protocol or management guideline with healthcare professionals themselves not knowing enough about the disorder.
I am hoping that the year 2016 will see great changes in the management of the illness,and that more professionals will be seeing the light when it comes to diagnoses and interventions. PMDD can wreck the life of the sufferer, destroy families and can have a devastating effect on the female who essentially is in the most important phase of her life. Puberty, child rearing, careers and marriages are all at risk, and more needs to be done for the sufferer themselves and there families.
There is however hope, and hope is all we have in the world of PMDD.
NAPMDD or The National Association of PMDD had an amazing year of raising it up last year with their first convention in Denver which was attended by many both in person and online. It gave us all a great insight into research, management and most importantly, the most effective remedies used. It gave immense support to thousands of women worldwide, is passionate about raising awareness, and works tirelessly in the hope of finding a cure.
It has also just added two directors to the board who are professional and intelligent women with great knowledge and experience of the disorder. In terms of growth and practical understanding, I predict 2016 will be a year of great discovery for PMDD. As a board member myself, I can assure you I am in the company of some amazing and compassionate people going all out for this cause. We really are gaining coverage and reaching out to women worldwide, along with their families who also are suffering and need support and urgent help.
We are also swapping dialogue with the most knowledgeable Professors in the world such as Professor Studd, London and Dr Lola in Chile, who are striving hard to help those suffering and have published vital papers with years of data involving the latest and most sophisticated technology.
For those of you suffering and despairing out there, I can assure you that 2016 can only bring more answers, with so many hard working people dedicated to fighting this cause. In the meantime, hold onto hope that one day there will be a cure, and an end to the misery of PMDD.
For further information and to help raise greatly needed funds, go to napmdd.org where there is a wealth of support available and where you can even get involved!
I blame the Hormones, is available on Kindle, Smartphone, PC or any tablet.
Happy New year to you all,
Suzi x
That means for all mood disorders, regardless of origin,but more so for sufferers of reproductive depression, and the monthly misery of PMDD.
As the battle for more research rages on, more and more sufferers come forward, and never before have there been so many forums of discussion and dialogue. People are endlessly researching and striving for recognition of a misunderstood condition which at times is shrouded in mystery and has had very little limelight. This has to change, and publications such as I Blame the Hormones, which has just recently been bought by a German publishing house, have to take president in educating the non-believers. Still too often we hear that sufferers are being fobbed off with the lack of knowledge and professional expertise needed to manage the crippling symptoms of PMDD. Still people refuse to believe that the disorder exists and is an exaggeration or a need for attention. As far as I am aware, there isn't as yet one particular protocol or management guideline with healthcare professionals themselves not knowing enough about the disorder.
I am hoping that the year 2016 will see great changes in the management of the illness,and that more professionals will be seeing the light when it comes to diagnoses and interventions. PMDD can wreck the life of the sufferer, destroy families and can have a devastating effect on the female who essentially is in the most important phase of her life. Puberty, child rearing, careers and marriages are all at risk, and more needs to be done for the sufferer themselves and there families.
There is however hope, and hope is all we have in the world of PMDD.
NAPMDD or The National Association of PMDD had an amazing year of raising it up last year with their first convention in Denver which was attended by many both in person and online. It gave us all a great insight into research, management and most importantly, the most effective remedies used. It gave immense support to thousands of women worldwide, is passionate about raising awareness, and works tirelessly in the hope of finding a cure.
It has also just added two directors to the board who are professional and intelligent women with great knowledge and experience of the disorder. In terms of growth and practical understanding, I predict 2016 will be a year of great discovery for PMDD. As a board member myself, I can assure you I am in the company of some amazing and compassionate people going all out for this cause. We really are gaining coverage and reaching out to women worldwide, along with their families who also are suffering and need support and urgent help.
We are also swapping dialogue with the most knowledgeable Professors in the world such as Professor Studd, London and Dr Lola in Chile, who are striving hard to help those suffering and have published vital papers with years of data involving the latest and most sophisticated technology.
For those of you suffering and despairing out there, I can assure you that 2016 can only bring more answers, with so many hard working people dedicated to fighting this cause. In the meantime, hold onto hope that one day there will be a cure, and an end to the misery of PMDD.
For further information and to help raise greatly needed funds, go to napmdd.org where there is a wealth of support available and where you can even get involved!
I blame the Hormones, is available on Kindle, Smartphone, PC or any tablet.
Happy New year to you all,
Suzi x
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