Case study: ’I’d always had PMT but it started taking over my life after having the twins’

Joanne*, a 37-year-old mum of twins and a teacher in the South-East, was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) by a consultant gynaecologist.

“I’d always had PMT but it started taking over my life after having the twins. I’d be crying constantly, feeling very sad, always arguing with my husband and blaming him for things that weren’t his fault. I felt very out of control, overwhelmed and incapable of making decisions.

“I kept a lid on it so it didn’t affect work or my kids but when the children were in bed, I’d really explode. This could go on for two or three weeks, depending on the length of my cycle, which varied between 28 and 35 days.

“I went to a GP for help. I didn’t feel supported. She prescribed anti-depressants and said they would help, even if [the depression] was cycle-related. I took them for a month or two — they made no difference. I asked could I get my hormones checked — maybe there was a pill that would suit my hormone needs? I was told no, I had to try the anti-depressants for six months to see how it would go.

“I next went to a gynaecologist, who diagnosed me and prescribed GnRH analogues (to treat endometriosis and uterine fibroids); these put me into temporary menopause. I felt better so I knew then my problem was hormone-related. But you can’t be on those long-term and the seven weeks coming off them were like torture, my lowest point, while I waited for my period to come back. The gynaecologist said sometimes women get a hysterectomy for very bad PMDD. There was no way I was going to do that.

“One day my sister-in-law arrived at a very low moment. She did some research and that’s how I found Dr Magovern. I’ve been attending him almost three years. I’m on three bio-identical creams for progesterone, oestrogen and testosterone, as well as a lot of vitamins and natural therapies to boost my whole system. Life has improved 100%.”

* Not her real name.