Moods & Menopause: Managing PMDD in Perimenopause – The Happy Menopause Podcast

Season 6 • Episode 2
Dr Lynsay Matthews, Lecturer & PMDD Researcher

Premenstrual disorders can make life incredibly miserable. Any woman who’s struggled with PMS will know that. I covered that specific issue in the closing episode to Season 5. This episode is a follow-on from that, as I drill down into PMDD – premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Although it occurs in the 2^nd half of the cycle, this isn’t just a severe form of PMS. It’s a hormone-based mood disorder caused by a severe reaction to the natural fluctuations of oestrogen and progesterone which can lead to intense emotional reactions, depression, negativity, brain fog and fatigue, amongst other things. There are no prizes for guessing that PMDD can get a lot worse during the perimenopause which is why I’ve drafted in some expert advice on this.

My guest is Dr Lynsay Mathews. She’s a lecturer in Public Health at the University of the West of Scotland and a leading researcher into PMDD, a condition she’s struggled with herself. Lynsay launched the UK’s first PMDD research agenda and works with a team of researchers on several studies covering a range of PMDD issues. She’s just the woman we need for such a complex subject.

We discuss what PMMD is; why it might happen; how it can affect you and your loved ones; how you know you’ve got it and the challenges of diagnosis. Lynsay talks through her own personal story of PMDD and how it inspired her to initiate numerous research projects into the condition. We look at the stats around PMDD and the number of unsuspecting women who may be struggling with symptoms. She also explains the various treatment options that are available.

It’s an incredibly thought-provoking discussion and made me wonder just how many women out there might have PMDD and don’t realise it. Scroll down to find out more about Lynsay.

Show Notes

Follow Lynsay on X (Twitter) and Instagram. 

Visit www.pmddresearch.com to see Lynsay’s research on PMDD and to join the PMDD patient insight group to get involved in the research programmes.

Visit www.iapmd.org for the best resources on PMDD. There are resources for people with PMDD, their family, health professionals and researchers.

Check out the sister episode to this show on PMS

Biography

Dr Lynsay Matthews MBChB MSc PhD PGCert LTHE FHEA

Dr Lynsay Matthews (University of the West of Scotland) researches Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a severe mood disorder affecting 1 in 20 women and people who menstruate. 3 in 4 people with PMDD experience thoughts of suicide and self-harm, and 1 in 3 attempt to end their life.

Lynsay, and co-researcher Julie Riddell, recently launched the UK’s first research agenda for PMDD. Alongside a team of fantastic researchers, they lead several studies covering a range of PMDD issues such as suicide prevention, disordered eating, parenting, and welfare benefits.

Research interest: Women’s mental health

Lynsay researches the link between ‘menstrual health and mental health’, with a particular interest in premenstrual disorders e.g., premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Lynsay is one of only several PMDD researchers in the UK, and was recently awarded funding to:

• co-develop the UK’s first research agenda for PMDD (funded by Research England)
• develop a programme theory for suicide prevention in women with PMDD (funded by the ESRC).

As an active stakeholder in women’s mental health policy and impact, Lynsay has membership of the following:

• International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD)
• National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes
• 4M Consortium for women’s mental health
• University College London’s eating disorder interest group
• Scottish Government’s Cross-Party Group for Women’s Health
• UK Society for Behavioural Medicine