PMDD: A Gender-Affirming Guidebook — Coming Mid-2025
PMDD: A gender-affirming guidebook offers clear, practical info and real-world tips on what you need to know to navigate life with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
It’s intersectional, gender-affirming, and designed to be accessible to as many people as possible, because everyone deserves to be seen, understood, and supported.
We’re also advocating for greater recognition of PMDD, pushing for change and better support.
Whether you’re new to PMDD or a long-time navigator, this guidebook is here to empower and guide you every step of the way.
What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (pmdd)?
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe, chronic condition that affects around 5-10% of people assigned female at birth, causing intense emotional and physical symptoms in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (the days leading up to a period). Unlike typical PMS, PMDD can seriously impact daily life, leading to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms like fatigue, bloating, and muscle pain. The exact cause of PMDD isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to be linked to a heightened sensitivity to hormonal changes, especially fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone.
Treatment can vary, including lifestyle changes, antidepressants, hormonal therapies, and cognitive behavioral therapy, but finding the right solution often involves trial and error. Despite its significant impact, PMDD remains underdiagnosed and poorly understood, partly because of the stigma around menstruation and a lack of awareness within the medical community. Many people go years without a diagnosis, feeling misunderstood and unsupported — a gap this guidebook aims to help bridge.
Meet the author
“Hey, I’m Sarah Newbold, the founder of Progressive Therapeutic Collective. I’m a counsellor, social worker, and clinical supervisor, and I’ve spent years working with people who have PMDD. I’ve seen up close how frustrating it can be to find the right support — and I’m determined to change that.
That’s why I wrote this guidebook: to give you practical tools and honest guidance. It’s time for PMDD to get the recognition it deserves, and for everyone living with it to feel seen, understood, and genuinely supported.”
Mark Your Calendar: Mid-2025
Get ready to grab your copy on PTC Market and all major online retailers. It will be available electronically, hard cover and via audiobook. We can’t wait to share it with you!