BKT Blog

Hi, my friend! If you are here it may be simply because you want to learn about the common hormonal disorders. It might also be because someone you care about experiences one of these conditions and you want to be more informed (how caring of you!). There is a chance that it may be you who is going through these symptoms (whether formally diagnosed or not). Before we go on to chat about this, I want to tell you that YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS. Whatever you are feeling is completely valid and there are other people walking alongside you on this journey. Sometimes, it can take up to seven years to diagnose conditions like endometriosis! 

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Some people experience increased severity of their psychological symptoms associated with PMS and have been diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMDD affects 3-8% of people globally and differs from PMS in the number, duration and severity of symptoms. People with PMDD usually experience feelings of depression and anxiety that significantly affect their day-to-day functioning and overall mental health (Handy, 2022).

There is no clear explanation for the cause of PMDD, but it is thought to be triggered by hormonal changes between ovulation and menstruation (Queensland Health, 2023). The disorder can sometimes be misdiagnosed as other mental ill-health conditions, such as bipolar disorder or depression. Treatment for PMDD can often require medication along with lifestyle changes (Jean Hailes, 2023). 

Endometriosis

Endometriosis (sometimes referred to as endo) is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus (Jean Hailes, 2023b). The main symptoms include inflammation, pelvic or abdominal pain, heavy or irregular periods, fatigue and fertility issues. The pain experienced can vary in severity but is often so severe that it is debilitating (Healthdirect, 2023). Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of women who are of reproductive age (WHO, 2023).

Again, there is no clear cause of endometriosis. There is an understanding that people who have a close family member with endo are up to 7-10 times more likely to develop it. To diagnose endometriosis, people typically go through a process of getting ultrasounds or a laparoscopy to inspect the growing tissue and identify if it is endometriosis. A laparoscopy is the only way to diagnose endometriosis (Healthdirect, 2023). Unfortunately, there is no prevention for endometriosis. 

In terms of treatment, women seem to have positive long-term outcomes when they have an early referral or diagnosis. The common treatment includes hormonal therapy, like birth control or some other synthetic hormones to manage ovulation and the production of endometrial tissue. The other main pharmaceutical way of managing endo is through antidepressants that support the brain’s pain response. Natural therapies to manage endometriosis include working with psychologists, and pelvic floor physiotherapists, and managing diet and lifestyle (Jean Hailes, 2023b).

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS affects a whopping 1 in 10 women and is diagnosed if the individual has two of the following three symptoms: irregular periods, excess of male hormones (through blood tests or symptoms) and/or polycystic ovaries visible on ultrasounds (WHRIA, n.d.). Some of the common symptoms include irregular periods, hirsutism, acne, mental ill-health symptoms, weight gain and sleep problems (Better Health Victoria, n.d.). Once again, there is no clear cause of PCOS.

When it comes to treatment, a healthy lifestyle is the most effective way to manage PCOS (Better Health Victoria, n.d.). 

I invite you to reflect on the following: 

• If you have a female reproductive system, how does this information affect how you perceive your hormonal health? If you identify with any of the symptoms, please consider making an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss your thoughts.
  • You might like to download a period tracking app that will track your symptoms too and help you find patterns or the lack thereof. We suggest the apps Flo or Clue.
• If you don’t have a female reproductive system, how is this information useful to support the women around you? Taking into consideration that there is often no prevention or cure for these conditions, what are some actions you could take to support the women in your life who may have these conditions?

References

Bagatin, E., Freitas, T. H. P., Rivitti-Machado, M. C., Machado, M. C. R., Ribeiro, B. M., Nunes, S., & Rocha, M. A. D. D. (2019). Adult female acne: a guide to clinical practice. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 94(1), 62–75. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203

Better Health Victoria (n.d.). Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos. Accessed on 26 February 2024. 

Carmichael, M.A.; Thomson, R.L.; Moran, L.J.; Dunstan, J.R.; Nelson, M.J.; Mathai, M.L.;

Wycherley, T.P. A Pilot Study on the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Australian Football Athletes. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18,9591. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189591

Carmichael, M.A.; Thomson, R.L.; Moran, L.J.; Wycherley, T.P. The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Athletes’ Performance: A Narrative Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 1667. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041667

Grymowicz, M., Rudnicka, E., Podfigurna, A., Napierala, P., Smolarczyk, R., Smolarczyk, K., & Meczekalski, B. (2020). Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(15), 5342. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21155342

The Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia. (2023). Breast Soreness. https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/breast-health/breast-soreness#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20hormonal%20breast,and%20sometimes%20right%20through%20it.

Handy, A. B., Greenfield, S. F., Yonkers, K. A., & Payne, L. A. (2022). Psychiatric symptoms across the menstrual cycle in adult women: A comprehensive review. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 30(2), 100–117. doi:10.1097/hrp.0000000000000329 

Healthdirect Australia (2023). Endometriosis. Retrieved from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/endometriosis#symptoms. Accessed 26 February 2024.

Jean Hailes (2023). PMDD: PMS: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Retrieved from https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/periods/premenstrual-syndrome-pms#what-is-pms. Accessed 26 February 2024.

Jean Hailes (2023b). Endometriosis. Retrieved from https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/endometriosis/diagnosis#:~:text=The%20average%20time%20to%20get,symptoms%20such%20as%20pelvic%20pain.Accessed 26 February 2024.

Queensland Health, The State of Queensland (2023). Breaking the cycle: A guide to understanding and managing premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Retrieved from https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/breaking-the-cycle-a-guide-to-understanding-and-managing-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd . Accessed 26 February 2024.

Women’s Health & Research Institute of Australia (n.d.). Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.whria.com.au/for-patients/hormones/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/. Accessed on 26 February 2024. 
World Health Organisation (2023). Endometriosis. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis#:~:text=Key%20facts,age%20women%20and%20girls%20globally. Accessed 26 February 2024.