PMDD Explained: Jenny’s Journey, Women’s Health, Mental Health & Hormonal Healing

In this episode of Becoming Lucy, hosts Hana & Lucy sit down with Jenny — PMDD advocate and founder of elevelle — to unpack the reality of living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions in women’s health.

Jenny shares her raw, honest journey through hormonal health, misdiagnosis, identity loss, rage, depression, and the emotional distress that PMDD can cause — including the dark moments many women are too afraid to talk about.

Together, we explore:

✨ What PMDD actually is

✨ The difference between PMS and PMDD

✨ Why so many women go undiagnosed

✨ How hormonal fluctuations can trigger severe mental health symptoms

✨ The link between PMDD, suicidal thoughts & emotional dysregulation

✨ Jenny’s struggle for answers after pregnancy

✨ The role of self-advocacy in women’s healthcare

✨ How community support and shared experiences can be life-saving

✨ Why PMDD awareness is essential in workplaces, families & relationships

Jenny’s story is a reminder that women often navigate their health alone — and how powerful it can be when one person speaks up and creates space for others to be heard.

This episode is for anyone navigating PMDD, mental health struggles, hormonal imbalance, or the feeling of “not being yourself” during your cycle.

You’re not alone — and Jenny is proof that healing often begins with awareness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to PMDD and Its Impact

02:53 Jenny's Journey: Life Before PMDD

04:44 The Onset of PMDD: Pregnancy and Hormonal Changes

11:17 Seeking Help: The Struggle with Diagnosis

19:15 Finding Community and Understanding PMDD

21:54 The Importance of Advocacy and Education

26:45 Navigating Relationships Through PMDD

30:28 Creating Awareness in Workplaces and Communities

34:47 Breaking the Taboo: Conversations About Periods

38:22 Understanding PMDD: Symptoms and Triggers

43:28 Navigating Fertility and PMDD

49:17 The Dark Side of PMDD: Mental Health Challenges

53:24 Advocacy and Awareness: The Power of Shared Experiences

01:00:08 Becoming a Voice for Change: Jenny's Journey

01:04:17 Building a Community: elevelle and Women's Health

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