A WOMAN nearly ended her marriage every month for seven years due to extreme symptoms from her period.
Britney Marsden, 36, was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – a severe version of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) – in October 2020.
The condition is related to changes in hormone levels during a woman’s menstrual cycle and causes extreme mood swings, depression and anxiety.
Britney’s PMDD made her emotions so heightened she found herself wanting to leave her husband, Jake Turner, 39, a user experience designer, every four weeks due to her nervous system being so “out of whack”.
She also spent years battling suicidal thoughts, dysphoria and psychosis during the lead up to her period, which would go just a few days after starting it.
On three occasions, Britney was forced to check herself into hospital after experiencing psychosis that left her fearing for her life.
After being diagnosed with PMDD, Britney was prescribed painkillers and felt she was offered “very little support” for her symptoms.
She took matters into her own hands, and after extensive research and working with a geneticist, Britney says she has “cured” 90 per cent of her symptoms with the help of trauma therapy and supplements.
She also underwent a heavy metal detox – to safely remove heavy metals such as mercury from the body – as well as switching to a low histamine diet and cutting out processed foods, sugar and caffeine.
Britney, a women’s health practitioner, from Gold Coast, Australia, said: “I was told that my PMDD symptoms were some of the worst doctors had ever seen.
“There is still so little known about the condition, and I was left feeling so alone.
“I was suicidal every month, and my marriage nearly didn’t survive.
“I wanted to leave my husband once a month – it was awful.
“I had to advocate for myself and do my own research, but I have found a way to manage my condition.
“I want people to know there is a way to heal – you don’t have to suffer.”
Britney began suffering with her periods as a teenager, when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at the age of 15.
She also says she experienced extreme trauma as a child, which resulted in a dysregulated nervous system.
Britney said: “Some 83 per cent of women with PMDD have experienced childhood trauma.
“My nervous system was completely out of whack because of everything I went through when I was younger.
“Only years later did I learn that this was contributing to my PMDD symptoms.”
Every month, Britney would experience debilitating symptoms – which caused her to “self combust”.
These would start a week before her period, when she would suffer extreme anxiety and heightened emotions.
“I would be curled up on the floor hysterically crying,” Britney said.
During the height of her PMDD, Britney experienced psychosis which left her feeling disorientated, “grief-stricken” and “completely out of control”.
On one occasion, Britney spent three weeks in hospital while undergoing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) – a procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of major depression.
Britney said: “It was terrifying, I didn’t feel like myself and just wanted to get out of my body.
“I just wanted it to stop, and I didn’t feel safe in myself.”
Her extreme symptoms also took a toll on her marriage – as Britney’s husband struggled to know how best to support his wife.
Jake said: “In the early days it was quite challenging as I wasn’t necessarily aware of what Britney was going through or what PMDD even was.
“It wasn’t until Britney and I were both more educated that I was able to learn how to support her and also navigate the monthly rollercoaster caused by PMDD.
“I recommend partners of those with PMDD take the time to learn about it.”
Britney added: “The hormonal fluctuations caused my body to be in a stress response, meaning that I was constantly in a state of ‘fight or flight’.
“Thankfully Jake was incredibly supportive and understanding during my PMDD episodes.
“Now, Jake tracks my cycle with me, so he knows that the week before my period is due to keep the house calm and he steps up with the housework to support me.”
Once her period started, Britney would begin to feel better, and after three days she would be back to feeling normal again, but the cycle would repeat just a few weeks later.
Britney was finally diagnosed with PMDD after years of struggling but felt there was still a lack of understanding and support around the condition.
She decided to do her own research and visit a geneticist – which revealed that she has the MTHFR gene.
I was suicidal every month, and my marriage nearly didn’t survive.
Britney Marsden
The main function of the gene is to provide the body with instructions to create the MTHFR protein, which helps the body create vitamin B, however there are health problems associated with the mutation of it.
After a few weeks of taking methylfolate b12 supplements, which correct the deficiency caused by the MTHFR gene, Britney started to notice a dramatic improvement.
Now, three years on, Britney believes 90 per cent of her symptoms have been alleviated, and she wants to give hope to other women who are suffering.
“I want women to know if they don’t address the route cause, they’re bound to keep suffering,” she said.
“There is still so little known about so many women’s health issues, particularly PMDD.
“I felt like no one knew how to help, so I trained as a women’s health practitioner so I could be the person I needed.
“Often women are told the only answer is something extreme – like a hysterectomy – but that should be a last resort.
“First of all, doctors should be asking if the patient has had trauma or had their genes tested.
“But I’m proof that there is a way around healing, that’s different to the traditional medical system.
“I feel so fortunate to have the support of my incredible family.
“My husband in particular stood by me throughout some really dark times, I don’t think I’d be here without him.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
PREMENSTRUAL dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
It affects around three to eight per cent of women.
PMDD causes a range of emotional and physical symptoms every month, usually during the week or two before your period.
Experiencing PMDD can make it difficult to work, socialise and have healthy relationships. In some cases, it can lead to suicidal thoughts.
The most common emotional symptoms are:
Physical and behavioural signs include:
It is not understood exactly what causes PMDD, but scientists believe it could be a combination of genetics, smoking, trauma, and stress.
Source: MIND
