PMDD Live On Stage!
“She’s probably on her period.”
“It’s just her hormones.”
“Women are crazy.”
If you are someone who identifies as a woman or you may have a sister, girlfriend, or friend who has female reproductive anatomy you have probably heard some of the above statements used.
These are not harmless throwaway comments, they are deeply damaging, dehumanising statements that women have endured for generations. At work. In school. Even in doctors’ offices where we thought we’d be safe.
The worst part is these statements have often been used at the most sensitive and most vulnerable times in our lives. Times we may have needed a hug, someone to listen to us or even just a day off whether it be from school work or mum life.
These statements are why we have stayed silent and not felt safe to express or talk about disorders such as PMDD. The fear of being labelled incapable or even worse ‘CRAZY’, ‘UNSTABLE’, ‘EMOTIONAL’- I could go on and on.
Well its time for this to change !
That’s why I’m so proud to witness women like Nichole Brown breaking the silence and bringing PMDD into the spotlight , live on stage.
Last Saturday, Salford Arts Theatre hosted, “We Need to Talk About Brenda,” a one-woman show portraying what it’s like to live with PMDD.
Watching Nichole move through each scene felt like watching my own story unfold.
The panic attacks.
The intrusive thoughts telling me to quit my job sabotaging a career I spent years building.
The inner critic whispering that my partner doesn’t love me or convincing me to sabotage my relationships.
There was something powerful about watching this truth play out on stage in front of an audience.
Because too often, people with PMDD (and women’s mental health conditions in general) are forced to suffer in silence afraid of being labelled “crazy” or “hysterical.”
The Workplace: A Reflection of Societal Stigmas
The impact of PMDD and severe PMS symptoms extends into the professional realm. In the UK, more than half of women have reported missing work due to period-related symptoms, with one in five taking sick leave . Alarmingly, many feel compelled to conceal the true reason for their absence; nearly half believe that menstruation is not a valid reason to call in sick, and around a third feel embarrassed or fear misunderstanding from their employers . As featured in HR Review.
This silence is a direct consequence of entrenched patriarchal norms that stigmatize menstruation and women's health issues. The lack of open dialogue and support in workplaces not only affects women's health but also their economic stability and career progression.
The Urgent Need for Change
The systemic neglect of PMDD and related menstrual health issues is a feminist concern that demands immediate attention. By acknowledging and addressing these conditions, we challenge the patriarchal narratives that have long silenced women's voices.
Organisations must implement policies that recognise menstrual health as a legitimate concern, provide adequate support, and foster an environment where women feel safe to speak openly about their health without fear of stigma or retribution.
I’m proud to be part of a generation of women refusing to be silenced.
We’re rewriting the narrative.
And we’re doing it loudly.
Congratulations Nichole Brown for doing the work !
It’s time to dismantle the structures that perpetuate the marginalisation of women’s health issues. By bringing PMDD into the spotlight, we not only validate the experiences of countless women but also pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.
Let’s continue to advocate, educate, and push for systemic change.
For more information about PMDD visit IAMPD
