The Hormone Sensitive Brain

Hormone Sensitivity / PMDD Questionnaire

I am looking for anonymous case studies for my upcoming book, The Hormone Sensitive Brain, due for publication in 2027.

I am keen to represent as many experiences as possible – my hope being that anyone who may pick up the book in the future feels “seen”.

If you have a history of hormone sensitivity, PMS, PME or PMDD (diagnosed or suspected), and would like to contribute, I would be incredibly grateful if you would consider completing the questionnaire below.

Please write as much, or as little, as you would like. Please do not feel obliged to answer all sections – any information is helpful and much appreciated.

I will not be able to include all answers in the book but would like to include snippets of quotes in relevant sections where I feel this will be helpful for readers. By completing and submitting this form you agree to your words being used in this way.

Please note that some of these questions cover sensitive, potentially triggering, topics including brief mention of suicide and trauma. Please only read on and complete this questionnaire if you feel safe and able to do so. If you are currently struggling, please see here for Where to get urgent help for mental health – NHS

No identifying information is collected from this form.

Premenstrual symptoms

1. Do you experience mood-related symptoms (e.g. significant anxiety, depression and/or irritability/rage) in the one to two weeks before your period?

2. Do you experience significant physical symptoms (e.g. headaches, bloating, breast tenderness, joint pain, mouth ulcers) in the one to two weeks before your period?

3. Does your behaviour change noticeably in the one to two weeks before your period? For example, are you more likely to miss work/education, avoid social interactions, argue with loved ones, drink excessive alcohol or binge on unhealthy food?

4. Have you ever experienced thoughts of self-harm, or suicide, in the lead-up to your period? If so, have you ever acted on these thoughts?

5. Please describe the pattern of your symptoms, including when in your menstrual cycle they start, their intensity and when they begin to improve/disappear. Please include as much detail as you feel able to.

6. How old were you when you first noticed your symptoms? How old are you now? Have your symptoms worsened over time?

7. Have you been formally diagnosed with severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)? If so, who made the diagnosis and how was this made?

8. What is your understanding of PMDD? How would you describe it?

9. There can sometimes be a premenstrual worsening, or exacerbation (PME), of underlying mental health conditions. Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition such as clinical depression, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), an eating disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder or emotionally unstable personality disorder? Please note, these conditions can co-exist with PMDD.

10. Have you ever been diagnosed with a neurodivergent condition such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia? If so, do your symptoms change throughout your menstrual cycle?

Past medical / reproductive / family history

11. Do you have any other medical conditions, e.g. migraine, endometriosis, thyroid disorder, epilepsy, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)?

12. Do you currently take any regular prescribed medication (including, if relevant, any weight loss medication e.g. Mounjaro)?

13. Do you have a history of trauma – e.g., experiencing or witnessing violence/abuse, childhood neglect, sudden/unexpected death of a loved one, a serious accident/life-threatening illness, discrimination/racism? Please answer yes or no – you do not need to provide details.

14. Have you taken hormonal contraception in the past (not necessarily prescribed specifically for premenstrual symptoms)? If so, what was your experience of this?

15. Have you ever undergone fertility treatment? If so, was your mood positively or negatively affected by any hormonal treatment given, or was there no noticeable difference at all?

16. If you have your own biological children, how did you feel during pregnancy? Were you able to breast feed?

17. Have you ever experienced any post-natal mental illness, e.g. post-natal depression or psychosis?

18. If you are perimenopausal/post-menopausal, how did this hormonal transition affect your symptoms?

19. Do you have a family history of PMDD (diagnosed or suspected), perinatal mental illness or perimenopausal mood disorder?

Non-medical management of premenstrual symptoms

20. Have you made any dietary or lifestyle changes to help with your symptoms?

21. Do you have any regular self-care strategies that help with your symptoms?

22. Do you take any vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements to help with your symptoms?

23. Have you ever used complementary therapies, e.g. acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy, Chinese herbal medicine or Reiki, to help with your symptoms?

24. Have you have ever had psychological therapy, e.g. CBT, DBT, ACT or EMDR to help with your symptoms?

25. Have you ever used neuromodulation devices (e.g. Nettle or Flow) to help with your symptoms?

26. In terms of non-medical treatment options, what – if anything – has been most helpful to you?

Medical management of premenstrual symptoms

27. Have you ever been offered SSRIs (a form of anti-depressant medication) to help with your premenstrual mood symptoms?

28. If so, were you advised to take these every day or only during the premenstrual phase (i.e. when you are symptomatic)? Was it explained to you that these medications work differently for PMDD than for clinical depression?

29. Have you ever been prescribed hormonal treatment, e.g., the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for your symptoms?

30. If so, what was your experience? Please include as much detail as possible, including the type of hormonal treatment prescribed.

31. In severe cases of PMDD, chemical menopause (induced by medications designed to “switch off” ovarian function, e.g. Zoladex, Prostap, Synarel) is sometimes recommended. Has this ever been offered to you, or discussed with you?

32. If you have undergone chemical menopause, what has been your experience? Were you prescribed add-back hormonal treatment (e.g. the COCP or HRT) alongside this?

33. Have you ever been prescribed any other medications to help with your premenstrual symptoms, e.g. antihistamines or mood stabilisers?

34. In terms of medical treatments, what – if anything - has been most helpful to you?

Surgical management of premenstrual symptoms

35. Surgical menopause (removal of the ovaries) is considered the last resort treatment option for severe PMDD. A hysterectomy (removal of the womb) is usually offered alongside this. Is this something you have considered or been offered?

36. If so, was it explained to you that the aim of surgical menopause is to remove the hormonal trigger for PMDD symptoms, but that it is not a “cure” for the brain’s hormone sensitivity?

37. If you have undergone surgical menopause, what has been your experience? Are you currently taking HRT?

38. How long ago was your surgery? Have your symptoms completely resolved?

Access to healthcare

39. If you have seen a healthcare professional about your symptoms, have you been satisfied with your care and the level of support offered? If not, how could this have been improved?

40. If you have not seen a healthcare professional about your symptoms, is this a result of choice or have you experienced barriers in accessing this care?

Impact on quality of life and relationships

41. What impact have your symptoms had on your quality of life and relationships? What is/has been the most difficult thing for you?

42. Have you felt able to talk openly about your premenstrual symptoms with family, friends and/or colleagues? If not, why not?

43. What do you know now that you wish you had known at the time of diagnosis and/or when you first noticed your symptoms were linked with your menstrual cycle? What would have been most helpful to you?

General

44. Is there anything else you would like to say/share?