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From PMS to self-confidence: A young woman battles her symptoms
Victoria S. shares her experiences with PMDD and founding Belle Health to promote dialogue about premenstrual disorders.
From PMS to self-confidence: A young woman battles her symptoms
Before the menstrual cycle, many women face challenging physical and psychological problems. 28-year-old Victoria S. from Salzburg shares her powerful story about premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and the more serious form known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). According to a report by “Today,” she has been suffering from extreme mood swings since her first period, which doctors often didn’t take seriously. She first became aware of PMS while studying in the USA. Her gynecologist in Germany, on the other hand, just said she had to “get through it” – an answer that frustrated her. This fate led Victoria to decide to study medicine in order to understand the causes of her complaints herself.
Victoria S. finally realized that PMDD is a chronic illness that affects many areas of life. In an interview with “Today” she emphasizes that she had to learn to adapt her everyday life to deal with the hormonal fluctuations. She now teaches that it is important to view your symptoms not as a weakness, but as an unchanging part of your body that you can better control. Although her experiences were intense and often stressful, she found a way to make everyday life more functional by respecting her natural rhythm.
Study to support women
The psychological effects of PMDD are also well known in the scientific community. A comprehensive survey from the research database shows that women often face a profound sense of loss of control over their lives. Of 479 women studied, 17 studies reported their experiences with PMS and PMDD. The results of these studies highlight the need for professionals to examine symptoms and offer targeted support. As presented in the systematic review, the need to sensitize professionals to diagnose and support those affected was emphasized so that these women do not have to struggle alone with their emotional challenges PubMed reported.
Victoria and her partner also founded the Belle Health initiative to raise awareness and encourage dialogue about PMDD. They are currently collaborating with the University of Marburg and Utah State University to conduct a clinical study on digital solutions for the treatment of premenstrual disorders. Through her experiences, Victoria wants to help other women find their own way of dealing with this challenging disease.