World Lights Up for Overlooked Women’s Health Condition

April is PMDD Awareness Month and a global awareness campaign has begun driven by a community of patients, care partners, professionals and others to drive awareness to a life-threatening and overlooked condition, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

PMDD i s a suspected genetic disorder at the intersection of mental health and menstrual health. Symptoms include depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and many others which occur in the 1-2 weeks before the menstrual period each month. Symptoms are often severe and debilitating, affecting school and work, relationships, and quality of life. PMDD impacts 1 in 20 women and AFAB individuals, staggering 60 million worldwide, but has only been recognized medically in the last decade, leaving many undiagnosed and in the dark.

Throughout April, 41 buildings and landmarks around the world will light up teal as a show of support. Light-ups include Niagara Falls, CN Tower in Toronto, Bell Tower in Perth, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, and Rochester Cathedral in Kent.

For more information visit the International Association for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder website

https://iapmd.org/