PMDD – The Silent Killer Affecting 1 in 20 Women

As PMDD Awareness Month approaches in April, The PMDD Project, the UK’s first and only charity dedicated to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), is calling for urgent action on a devastating but widely ignored medical crisis.

Despite PMDD being a severe hormone-based mood disorder that affects approximately 1 in 20 individuals who menstruate, it remains largely undiagnosed and misunderstood. Those with PMDD are not experiencing a hormone imbalance but rather an extreme sensitivity to natural hormonal fluctuations.

“The lack of awareness and misdiagnosis mean that many people are left without the right support, often cycling through ineffective treatments for years.”

Dr. Milli Raizada, an award-winning doctor, hormone researcher, and trustee of The PMDD Project, explains: “PMDD is not simply about hormones – it’s about how the brain responds to them. Research suggests that those with PMDD have a different neurological sensitivity to hormonal fluctuations, which can trigger severe mood changes, depression, and suicidal thoughts, as well as physical symptoms.”

The consequences are life-altering – relationships break down, careers are lost, and many sufferers find themselves in crisis every single month. Studies show that up to 82% of those with PMDD experience suicidal thoughts, and 26% have attempted to end their life. Despite this, PMDD is often dismissed as “just bad PMS,” leaving those affected to suffer in silence.

She continues: “The lack of awareness and misdiagnosis mean that many people are left without the right support, often cycling through ineffective treatments for years. We need urgent improvements in medical training and mental health interventions to ensure those with PMDD get the help they need.”

April is also an important month for the charity, as it marks one year since its founder, Phoebe Williams, launched the organisation. After experiencing PMDD herself, she felt a strong desire to raise awareness for a condition that remains largely unknown and misunderstood.

Phoebe shares: “A year ago, The PMDD Project was just an idea – a response to my own struggle with PMDD and the desperate need for better awareness, resources, and support. My journey with PMDD has been life-altering, forcing me to rebuild after years of misdiagnosis, medical gaslighting, and the profound impact the condition has had on my career, relationships, and mental health.

“The aim of The PMDD Project has always been clear: to support those affected by PMDD, advocate for better recognition and treatment, and ensure that no one has to suffer in silence. One year on, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. We’ve built a thriving online community, launched vital resources, and started important conversations that are reaching both individuals and healthcare professionals.

“But this is just the beginning. In the next year, we hope to expand our reach, fund research, and strengthen our advocacy efforts to drive real policy change. PMDD needs to be recognised as a serious health condition – one that demands proper medical training, workplace accommodations, and government action.

“We need policymakers, healthcare providers, and organisations to step up. People with PMDD deserve better treatment, earlier diagnosis, and support systems that prevent the devastating consequences so many of us have faced.”

“There is hope. And with that hope comes my determination to help others navigate this condition.”

For many, the impact of PMDD is devastating. Kim Cormack, 36, shares her experience:

“During the COVID lockdown, my symptoms became unbearable – migraines, severe cramps, dysphoria, insomnia, depression, and suicidal ideation. It took my best friend’s internet search to lead me to PMDD, a condition I had every symptom of. As my symptoms worsened from one week to three per month, I lost my job, ended my relationship, and was repeatedly dismissed by doctors – one even asking if I’d heard of PMS.

“After moving and registering with a new GP, I was finally referred to a PMDD specialist, where I was immediately put on treatment inducing chemical menopause. Though I still experience flare-ups, my life has begun to rebuild.

“The PMDD Project has been a vital part of my healing – offering understanding, hope, and purpose. With their support, I’ve made the life-changing decision to undergo a full hysterectomy due to PMDD. It’s an incredibly difficult choice, but after surviving my last serious suicide attempt, I know I must prioritise life and safety.

“There is hope. And with that hope comes my determination to help others navigate this condition.”

For those wanting to support The PMDD Project, you can follow their socials, share the campaigns with family and friends, or even help raise funds for research by organising your own fundraiser.

If you are someone who struggles with or think you may be struggling with PMDD, the charity has multiple free resources online that can be accessed here.