women Archives -

PMDD Real Talk – 6 Q’s I Have Been Asked Recently

Posted on April 27, 2023April 27, 2023 by Clarissa Thomas

Watch here or you can listen at the bottom of this post.

This is a podcast area I want to add into my normal podcasting. It is all unscripted real talk about PMDs so it is messy and real. Anything is on the table and stories shared here might be funny or serious, silly or relatable. They might be all the above. Hopefully something will inspire you to dive into your health and be more mindful or prompt you to share with a friend. Either way, I am here for you to share all the things.

These are six questions that I have been asked recently about PMDD. I was surprised by some that I hadn’t been asked or hear before but all were great questions. If you have a question, drop it below in the comments and I’d love to address them next round.

1) Do you feel insecure or have internalized shame during PMDD?

2) Have you thought you had BPD/bipolar/personality disorder?

3) Do you have a day in your cycle where you fluctuate tears, happy, content, rage, tears?

4) Does the smallest issue feel world crushing during PMDD?

5) Are you neurodivergent?

6) Do you ever feel paranoid that everyone hates you or people are mad at you?

Thank you for listening. Please rate and review the podcast and share with friends and family who could benefit from this education.

***Note: these thoughts are in no way to replace your physician. If you have questions, please consult your doctor and professionals for direction before you make any changes in your health. I am not a doctor, just a coach. Also, these podcast may contain information that is sensitive in nature and might be triggering. Please listen with caution. Thank you.***

Intro to Menstrual cycles

Posted on April 6, 2023April 27, 2023 by Clarissa Thomas

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Listen to the audio version at the bottom of the page or watch here.

In this episode, we’ll talk about what the menstrual cycle is, what happens during each phase of the cycle, and how to track your cycle. We’ll also discuss some of the common myths and misconceptions about the menstrual cycle.

So what is the menstrual cycle? The menstrual cycle is a monthly process that prepares the body for pregnancy. It starts on the first day of your period and ends on the day before your next period starts. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but it can vary from woman to woman.

49% of our population is female and 25% of the population bleeds but that 49% all have the same female biochemistry of hormones. Meaning higher estrogen and progesterone (along with some other minor hormones) than male counterparts.

Everyone has someone who has female biochemistry in their lives. It is important to understand that a female is always changing and not more constant in daily hormone levels as men.

The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases:

The follicular phase: This is the first phase of the menstrual cycle. It starts on the first day of your period and ends when you ovulate. During this phase, the body prepares for ovulation by producing estrogen and progesterone.
The ovulation phase: This is the middle phase of the menstrual cycle. It starts when you ovulate and ends when your period starts. During this phase, the egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube.
The luteal phase: This is the third phase of the menstrual cycle. It starts after ovulation and ends when your period starts. During this phase, the body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy by producing progesterone.
The menstrual phase: This is the last phase of the menstrual cycle. It starts when your period starts and ends on the first day of your next period. During this phase, the body sheds the lining of the uterus.

There are many different ways to track your menstrual cycle. You can use a period tracker app, a calendar, or even a simple notebook. Tracking your cycle can help you to understand your body better and identify any patterns in your cycle.

There are many common myths and misconceptions about the menstrual cycle. Some people believe that women are “unclean” during their period. This is not true. Women are just as clean during their period as they are any other time of the month.

Other people believe that women can’t get pregnant during their period. This is also not true. While it is less likely to get pregnant during your period, it is still possible.

Finally, and one of the biggest I see is that people believe the menstrual cycle is just during the bleed of 7 days but it is ALL the TIME!!!

The menstrual cycle is a natural process that is a part of being a woman. There is nothing to be ashamed of about your period. If you have any questions or concerns about your menstrual cycle, talk to your doctor.

This is PMDD – Day 20

Posted on April 14, 2021April 14, 2021 by Dan Thomas

I once saw a thriller movie and at one point in a scene, there was blood oozing under the door frame into the closet where the actor was hiding. The actor had no idea what was going on until there was so much blood, he was 4-5 inches deep and it was “too late” for him. He succumbed to the monster with a blood curdling scream. I always wondered why that scene stuck with me… until it made a lot of sense for me today.

That’s what I start feeling around day 20-22 in my PMDD cycle. Everything is going wonderfully up until that point. In fact, yesterday I was just thinking how much energy and drive I had and how I could keep up with my goals for sure! I would smash my PMDD out of the water and win this month. I just knew it.

But today I noticed the muck leaching under the closet door.

It came in a way of noticing my bloated belly and my 4 lb weight gain overnight. How could I possibly send that to my coach?!

It came when I just couldn’t get the seam on my sock to sit right in my shoe or the drawstring on my pants kept loosening. I didn’t hate those pants last week, they were my uniform and now I can’t wait to get rid of them.

It leached more when I looked at my calendar and had dread of this coming weekend. Too many social events and planned things I need to “show up” for… panic, sweat, heat… how do I cancel these? Too much going on.

It came in more when I realized that my whole house was SO dirty and I am the ONLY one who seems to care. The load of work gets heavier and I notice everything wrong.

It leached when one hand on my back from my husband sent so much electric energy into my body I was awake for another hour trying to calm back down. OVer stimulation of simple things.

It rose with foggy mind issues, frustration of my hair today, feeling SO gross that I haven’t had time to shower and shave since Saturday and the hairs are catching on my leggings. In my workout where I couldn’t even look myself in the eyes I was that disgusted with who I am.

And with all these things I think, “That’s just weird. I know those thoughts and feelings aren’t who I am. I wonder what is going on?”

After a certain point in my day, it hits me. Every time, it hits like a bus. PMDD is here again. And I sorrow. I ache. I mourn.

For the life I am losing. For the pain I will cause. For another month, another round, another destroyer coming though of all that I had tried to build the past two weeks.

And I am tempted to just sit in the muck and let the monster take me too.

***We do not claim to be a doctor or anything of the like. This document is for educational and journaling purposes only. Any action taken by the reader is their sole responsibility and should be done with discretion. No claim can be made against Adagio FIT or its employees. If you ever have any questions, take them to your primary care doctor.***