Monthly illness is so extreme I will have to have hysterectomy in my thirties

Woman reveals extreme realities of rare pre-menstrual disorder

- STEPHANIE BALLOO News Reporter

A BIRMINGHAM woman living with a little-known disorder has spoken of the extreme impact on her life - and why she plans to have a full hysterectomy in her 30s.

Kimberley Cormack suffers from pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, otherwise known as PMDD, which is thought to affect one in 20 women in the UK.

The 36-year-old recently made the decision to undergo the major operation to help alleviate her symptoms - which have led to suicide attempts in the past.

The debilitating disorder can see women experience extreme symptoms, ranging from depression and paranoia to anger and fatigue, for up to three weeks of their monthly cycle.

It is commonly misunderstood as premenstrual syndrome PMS, including by doctors, but it is caused by an abnormal reaction to normal hormones released through the luteal phase, usually day 14-28.

Ms Cormack, a Trustee at The PMDD project - the first UK charity to focus on the disorder - spoke out on her experience to help raise awareness at a city workshop this month.