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Dimensional Affective Sensitivity to Hormones across the Menstrual Cycle (DASH-MC)
Why do some women become intensely irritable after ovulation, while others experience depression during their period or impulsivity around ovulation? A new 2025 framework called DASH-MC (Dimensional Affective Sensitivity to Hormones across the Menstrual Cycle) suggests there isn't just one type of hormone sensitivity, but several distinct patterns. This could help explain why PMDD, ADHD, anxiety and depression can fluctuate differently across the menstrual cycle—and why treatments that work brilliantly for one woman may do very little for another.
Vitamin D and PMDD: Could Correcting a Deficiency Improve Symptoms?
Can vitamin D improve PMDD symptoms? A new systematic review suggests vitamin D supplementation may reduce low mood and physical premenstrual symptoms, but the evidence is far from conclusive. Discover what the latest research tells us about vitamin D deficiency, hormone-sensitive mood disorders and whether testing or supplementation should form part of a personalised PMDD treatment plan.
Could Cleaning Your Brain Improve PMDD? What New Research Tells Us About Sleep, Hormones and the Glymphatic System
A new study has found altered glymphatic system activity in women with PMDD. This emerging research may help explain links between sleep, inflammation, hormone sensitivity and emotional regulation.
Psychological Therapy for PMDD: Why Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Can Be Life-Changing
Psychological therapy cannot cure PMDD, but it can transform how you understand and manage it. Discover the latest evidence on CBT, cycle-informed therapy and trauma-informed approaches for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
When Standard PMDD Treatments Aren't Enough: Is There a Role for Antipsychotic Medication?
Most women with PMDD improve with SSRIs or hormonal treatment, but some continue to experience severe symptoms. This article explores the emerging evidence for antipsychotic medication as a specialist treatment option in treatment-resistant PMDD.
When Contraception Affects Mood: Why Listening to Women Matters
Mood changes on hormonal contraception are real for some women — and may reveal a deeper sensitivity to reproductive hormones linked to PMDD, postpartum depression, and perimenopausal mental health.
PMDD and Suicide: Understanding the Risk, the Science, and What Needs to Change
PMDD is not just severe PMS. For many women, it brings cyclical suicidal thoughts and crisis. This blog explores the evidence and what needs to change.
Micronised progesterone in PMDD: what does the evidence actually show?
Micronised progesterone is often discussed in PMDD, but does the evidence support it? This blog explores the science, clinical data, and practical implications.
Transgender Health and PMDD: Hormones, Identity and Evidence-Based Care
PMDD is not limited by gender identity. This blog explores how it affects transgender individuals and how treatment can be approached thoughtfully.
PMDD and the Gut Microbiome: What’s Evidence, What’s Hype, and What Actually Helps
The gut–brain axis is one of the most talked-about areas in women’s health. But what does the evidence actually say about PMDD and the microbiome? This article separates science from hype and offers practical, evidence-informed guidance.
PMDD and Bipolar Disorder: why the overlap matters more than you think
PMDD and bipolar disorder can look similar, but the difference lies in the pattern. Understanding this can change everything about your treatment and recovery.
Pharmacogenomics and Antidepressants
Struggling with antidepressants? Pharmacogenomic testing explores how your genes influence medication response—helping explain side effects, guide prescribing, and personalise treatment.
When Medicine Meets Uncertainty: A More Honest Way to Care for Hormones and Mood
In women’s hormonal health, the most honest answer is not always certainty. This blog explores why embracing complexity leads to better, more personalised care for PMDD and hormone-related mood symptoms.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for PMDD: Is There a Role?
ACT is gaining attention as a potential therapy for PMDD, but what does the evidence actually say? This article explores whether it can help and where it fits in treatment.
Why You Feel “Burnt Out” in the Follicular Phase with PMDD
If you feel a surge of energy after your period—only to crash into exhaustion again—you’re not imagining it. Many women with PMDD experience a hidden cycle of overcompensation and burnout. Here’s why it happens and how to break the pattern.
Who Should You See for PMDD? (And Why It’s So Often Missed)
PMDD doesn’t belong to one specialty. Discover who to see, why it’s often missed, and how a holistic GP-led approach can transform care.
Understanding the biology: why GnRH works in PMDD
GnRH analogues are one of the most effective treatments for severe PMDD. This guide explains how they work, the difference between agonists and antagonists, and what the latest evidence shows.
Why PMS and PMDD Feel So Different for Different Women: The Science Behind Hormone Sensitivity and Personalised Treatment
PMS and PMDD aren’t just about hormone levels—they’re about how your brain responds to them. This blog explores why symptoms differ between women and how treatment can be tailored to your unique hormonal pattern.
PMDD, work, and why this conversation matters
PMDD can be life-altering, particularly when symptoms disrupt work and daily functioning. In the UK, this may bring legal protections under disability law, alongside access to workplace adjustments and financial support. Here’s what you need to know.
PMDD and Relationships: Why It Feels So Hard—and What Actually Helps
Sirona Health (Dr Georgina Standen) – Specialist in Menopause, PMS and Women's Health