Welcome back to The Monthly Truth - the conversation no one is having, but everyone needs to hear.

This week, we're joined by the brilliant Lydia Donaldson, co-founder of Not Ovaryacting. Lydia opens up about her journey with PMDD - from years of being misdiagnosed and dismissed, to hitting rock bottom and making the brave decision to section herself, to finally getting a diagnosis that made it all make sense.

She talks about the role of trauma, her experience with chronic illness, navigating the messiness of trial-and-error treatments, and how she’s now finding stability.

💬 The moment she realised her monthly crises were hormonal

💬 Why trauma and neurodivergence can complicate PMDD

💬 What worked, what didn’t, and what she’s learned about managing symptoms

💬 How Not Ovaryacting is giving people a voice and a lifeline

This episode is honest, emotional, and genuinely hopeful. If you're in the thick of PMDD, Lydia’s story will remind you you’re not broken — and you’re definitely not alone.

📣 If it hits home, please share it. Subscribe. Help us keep these conversations going.

🌐 Follow Lydia and Jodie’s work on IG @not_ovaryacting_pmdd

Follow The PMDD Project for more support and resources:

🌎 Website: https://thepmddproject.org/

📸 Instagram: @thepmddproject

📹 Tiktok: @thepmddproject

💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pmdd-project/

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Chapters

00:00 Understanding PMDD: A Deep Dive

07:04 The Journey to Diagnosis

13:01 Managing PMDD: Current Strategies

19:00 Neurodivergence and PMDD

24:54 Hope and Support for PMDD

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Disclaimer:

At The Monthly Truth, we share stories, experiences, and information to support and empower those affected by PMDD. However, the content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Everyone’s journey with PMDD is unique, and we encourage you to seek care from qualified healthcare providers for your individual needs. Please know you’re not alone - and we’re so glad you're here.

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