Thread by @PeriodsPower

17 months ago I had a total hysterectomy + bilateral ovary removal for severe PMDD - I honestly believe that surgery saved my life, yet I definitely wasn't ready for the mental health rollercoaster of surgical menopause + HRT that followed (thread)

17 months on + finally my hormones are in range, following surgery I thought my mental health battle was over, I am so much better, I don't self harm or need to be in hospital for my safety anymore. I am living independently, I can drive + hold down a job (2/?)

Yet I am still awaiting for the day I feel "better". There are many days I feel broken + whilst I have no regrets about my surgery, I feel it changed me in ways I could have never expected. I often feel zapped of energy (3/?)

And despite hating PMDD (wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy) in a strange way there are times I mourn my old life, the life I knew for over 17 yrs. Grieving for the years I lost to PMDD, to the children I will never bare is hard, recovery is hard (4/?)

They say life is not a race, but feeling 'behind' my peers is hard, change (even positive change) is hard. There are so many aspects of PMDD I don't miss, yet there are still times I miss the old me, I miss the energy I had (5/?)

I miss the body I had, I miss being fit & able to run through fields whenever I wanted. I am tired of migraines & hot flushes & night sweats, I am tired of feeling alone + not fitting in with others my age. (6/?)

I don't know what I am trying to say here & I guess I am having a little bit of a pitty party, but I just wanted to be honest & share so others don't feel so alone. (7/?)

If you are a professional providing care for someone with PMDD, or for someone going through surgical menopause or early menopause, please don't just assume because they are on the other side of the crisis, because they are living independently (8/?)

Because from the outside + objectively life is going well for them, that they are okay & no longer need support. Surgery +/- menopause is a lot for anyone to adapt to especially at a young age, be there for them, let them grieve, support them whilst they rebuild their life (9/?)

And if you are reading this & can relate please know that are you are NOT alone 💚 You have survived the storm + one day the sun will shine again ☀️ (10/10) #menopause #pmdd #mentalhealth #recovery #hope #hrt #earlymenopause #makemenopausematter

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