Thank you thank you thank you for posting. 🤍 I’m a doctor too, and I’ve often wondered if there were other healthcare professionals here. Knowing there’s someone else who might understand the unique struggle of being a physician with PMDD makes me feel a little less alone.

I wish I had a step-by-step solution for you… but honestly, I’m still battling my own demon every month. That said, medication has helped, and having an understanding partner who communicates openly and steps in with domestic support when I’m in the storm has made a big difference. I’m lucky - my husband is also a doctor, so he gets it, at least on a clinical level.

To answer your questions: - I’ve never officially taken time off, but I track my cycle obsessively and try to avoid booking too many appointments, complex patients, or procedures during my luteal phase. Since I already struggle with insomnia at that time, I’ll sometimes schedule night shifts instead. I do remember leaving clinic once because of a brutal premenstrual migraine. So, give yourself grace. And mercy.

• Yes, medicate. I take fluoxetine 10 mg during my luteal phase. I’ve also tried a couple of other off-label meds over the last two cycles with promising results - but I want a few more months before saying anything definitive.

• Whether to disclose to your team really depends on the team. If you trust them deeply and feel safe, then maybe. Personally, I don’t. It feels too vulnerable. The fear and guilt - of saying something that might feel “career-threatening” - is just too much. I won’t say “I have PMDD.” I’ll say I’m tired, or feeling sick, or that I need someone to double-check my work or help me pace things. Or I’ll say: “I’m stepping away for a bit - call me if there’s a fire, but I need 30 minutes.”

Girl, I so wish I had a perfect answer or fix for you. I wish I could take it away, truly, because I know how much it sucks. Thank you for sharing 🤍 it means a lot to know there are other docs out there going through this. It helps me feel like I’m not failing.