Oophorectomy, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
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Episode Notes
In this episode of Perinatal and Reproductive Perspectives, host Becky Morrison sits down with Dana Raine, a literacy educator, social justice advocate, and PMDD survivor. Dana shares her deeply personal journey with premenstrual dysphoric disorder—including the years of mental health struggles, the difficulty of getting a diagnosis, and the impact PMDD had on her relationships and plans for motherhood.
Dana opens up about her decision to undergo surgical menopause in her early 30s and the emotional process of grieving biological motherhood while stepping into self-acceptance. She also offers powerful advice for partners of people with PMDD, emphasizing the importance of education, flexibility, and mutual care.
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone affected by PMDD, navigating reproductive mental health, or supporting someone through it.
Topics include:
What living with PMDD really feels like
Misdiagnosis, medical gaslighting, and self-advocacy
The decision to pursue surgical menopause
Grieving infertility and redefining motherhood
Relationship dynamics and how to support a partner with PMDD
“PMDD is at the intersection between women’s reproductive health and mental health – two stigmatized health conditions. People don’t really like to talk about either one, and then you put them together, and it makes people all kinds of uncomfortable.”
“I experienced psychiatrists not really knowing a whole lot about PMDD. Then I also experienced gynecologists not really knowing a whole lot about it. I remember feeling, ‘Where am I supposed to go? Who’s really gonna help me with this?’ I had doctors who were a little bit resistant. It took a while to get them to actually put that diagnosis on my chart. But I think it’s important to label it and to get that official diagnosis can be really, really validating and important.”
Show Notes
Introduction to PMDD (00:00:00)
Dana shares her experience of losing her reproductive organs and the impact on her desire for motherhood.
Podcast Welcome (00:00:19)
Becky introduces the podcast and its mission to empower individuals in perinatal and reproductive health.
Guest Introduction (00:00:52)
Becky welcomes Dana Rayne, expressing excitement about her complex journey with PMDD.
Dana's Background (00:01:31)
Dana discusses her mid-30s status, her dream of motherhood, and her PMDD diagnosis nearly ten years ago.
Mental Health Journey (00:02:41)
Dana reflects on her early mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, leading to her PMDD diagnosis.
Understanding PMDD (00:05:10)
Dana explains PMDD as a severe form of PMS, highlighting its brain disorder nature and symptoms.
Personal Experience with PMDD (00:08:27)
Dana describes her emotional struggles, including severe depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.
Coping Strategies and Challenges (00:12:04)
Dana shares her coping mechanisms, such as binge eating, and the cyclical nature of her symptoms.
Diagnostic Journey (00:14:24)
Dana emphasizes the importance of awareness and resources for diagnosing PMDD, including the international association for premenstrual disorders.
Struggles with Healthcare Providers (00:17:03)
Dana discusses her frustration with healthcare providers' lack of knowledge about PMDD and the importance of self-advocacy.
Impact on Relationships (00:19:51)
Dana reflects on how PMDD affected her family and romantic relationships, leading to difficulties in maintaining connections.
Advice for Partners (00:22:20)
Dana offers insights for partners of individuals with PMDD, emphasizing mutual support and self-care in relationships.
Understanding PMDD and Relationships (00:23:00)
Dana discusses the importance of understanding PMDD in relationships and not using it as an excuse for negative behavior.
Importance of Education for Partners (00:25:03)
Emphasizes the need for partners to educate themselves about PMDD to better support their loved ones.
Dana's Desire for Motherhood (00:25:26)
Dana shares her lifelong aspiration to become a mother and her struggles with relationships.
Treatments for PMDD (00:25:41)
Discusses various treatments for PMDD, including SSRIs and hormonal therapies previously used for other issues.
Surgical Options for PMDD (00:26:55)
Explains the surgical procedure of ovary removal as a last resort for treating PMDD.
Exploring Single Motherhood (00:27:29)
Dana reflects on her decision to pursue single motherhood by choice amid her PMDD struggles.
Looking into Sperm Banks (00:29:10)
Describes the surreal experience of selecting a sperm donor and considering the implications for her future child.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Process (00:30:34)
Dana shares her experience with the IUI process, highlighting the emotional and logistical challenges involved.
First Insemination Experience (00:33:41)
Describes her first insemination procedure and the mix of excitement and disappointment when it didn't result in pregnancy.
Navigating New Relationships (00:34:36)
Dana discusses meeting her ex-husband during her journey to motherhood and the complexities of their relationship.
Challenges of PMDD in Relationships (00:36:24)
Explores how PMDD affected her relationship dynamics and the importance of setting boundaries.
Divorce and Reevaluation (00:39:22)
Dana shares her decision to divorce and the subsequent reevaluation of her journey toward motherhood.
Seeking New Treatment Options (00:40:11)
Describes finding a new doctor and considering alternative treatments for PMDD, including medical menopause.
Impact of Medical Menopause (00:42:10)
Discusses the temporary relief from PMDD symptoms through medical menopause and its implications for her future.
Attempting Pregnancy Again (00:43:09)
Dana shares her decision to try getting pregnant again after a period of healing from her divorce.
Struggles with Self-Insemination (00:44:05)
Talks about her attempts at self-insemination and the emotional toll of trying to conceive without medical support.
Decision to Stop Trying (00:45:28)
Dana reflects on the difficult choice to stop trying to get pregnant and schedule her surgery for PMDD.
Dana's Mixed Feelings Before Surgery (00:45:36)
Dana shares her apprehension and excitement leading up to her surgery, reflecting on the significance of losing her reproductive organs.
Surgery Experience and Recovery (00:46:36)
Dana discusses her surgery experience, recovery, and the initiation of hormone replacement therapy post-surgery.
Menopausal Symptoms Explanation (00:47:54)
Dana describes her menopausal symptoms, including joint stiffness and hair thinning, and how hormone therapy alleviated them.
Body Image and Weight Changes (00:50:09)
Dana talks about her struggles with body image and the changes in fat distribution post-surgery, particularly gaining belly fat.
Journey of Self-Acceptance (00:50:32)
Dana reflects on her ongoing journey to accept her body and the complexities of body image as a woman.
Defining Enoughness in Motherhood (00:53:09)
Dana discusses the difficult decision to prioritize her reproductive health over her desire for motherhood.
The Process of Grieving (00:56:40)
Dana shares her emotional journey of grief related to her reproductive choices and the acceptance of her circumstances.
Life Changes After Surgery (00:58:07)
Dana describes significant life changes following her surgery, including a career pivot and starting a PhD program.
Emotional Reflections on Growth (01:00:44)
Dana reflects on her emotional journey, expressing empathy for her past self and pride in her choices.
Navigating Loneliness and Fear (01:02:47)
Dana discusses the challenges of going through her journey without a partner and the feelings of isolation it brings.
Meaning Making in Current Life (01:05:29)
Dana shares her current focus on education and hopes for the future, emphasizing her desire to uplift humanity through her work.
Giving Voice to Issues (01:08:58)
Dana hopes to provide visibility and support for those facing similar struggles.
Connecting with Dana (01:09:26)
Discussion on how listeners can reach out to Dana through her Instagram.
Closing Remarks (01:10:00)
Dana expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share her experiences.
Resources and Call to Action (01:10:07)
Invitation to visit the website for more information and resources.
Guest information
Dana is a literacy educator, social justice advocate, and PMDD survivor. Despite dreams of motherhood, she decided to undergo surgical menopause (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy) at 33 years old to treat PMDD. Her journey includes years of mental health battles, attempts at single motherhood by choice through donor insemination, and ultimately giving up the possibility of biological motherhood to prioritize her own well-being. Dana is currently a PhD student in Educational Psychology. She looks forward to continuing to nurture other people's children and possibly becoming an adoptive mother.