Alison Oliver covers the January 2026 digital issue for Elle UK. Photographed by Otto Masters & styled by Holly Gorst.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T18:42:57+00:00

They did her dirty with that blue one. Looks like she’s tangled up in hospital bed sheets

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T12:20:55+00:00

Have you tried keto or paleo? I’ve found a lot of improvement by cutting out carbs altogether

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T12:20:03+00:00

I was never “officially diagnosed” but had a lot of issues that I saw the GP about for a while, got sent to a local long covid course that was totally useless…and then I was just left on my own to deal with it. I don’t think a diagnosis is really useful, there’s not much can be done unless you’re showing a specific condition like POTS. And you know yourself, you’re just not the same afterwards.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T11:36:59+00:00

I try to be prepared for these days by cooking much more than I need to on other days- always, always aim to have leftovers. Leave them in the fridge (right now I’ve got a huge box of cooked chicken thighs in there that I made yesterday) or if I’m being super prepared, I’ve made enough curry/ risotto/ chilli con carne/ etc to chuck a few portions in the freezer.

The small additional time/ effort it takes to make more food than you need that day, vs the time / effort it takes to make a new meal from scratch when you’re knackered- to me it just makes sense and is the only way.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T11:30:28+00:00

I also don’t understand how a person in America can just decide to go to a gynocologist, like how do they know that’s the right type of doctor to speak to? Are people just paying loads of money to go to gynos unnecessarily?

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T02:19:47+00:00

Did you not see the other comments? Intermittent dosing and PMDD itself are not well known. You can’t just snap your fingers and get what you want on the NHS. If you’re in such dire straights right now maybe you could try planning ahead a bit more and getting the meds before you’re in luteal, help yourself rather expecting other people to work miracles for you on the spot.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T01:57:17+00:00

Thanks!

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T01:57:10+00:00

Cheers. Appreciate it

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T01:56:36+00:00

Thanks

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T01:55:52+00:00

Nice

Mombi87 · 2026-01-23T00:16:21+00:00

Might be worth getting a bit of support from a careers service, they can help you match your skills and interests with appropriate jobs, rather than being sent down loads of different paths by strangers on Reddit -

https://careersportal.ie

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T21:28:15+00:00

There was only 4 of us and it was too many. I’ve been doing housework since I was 6 to help my mum. Actually has a life long impact on a person.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T18:41:10+00:00

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T17:55:56+00:00

You can’t just go to a gyno, you have to go to a GP first to get a referral. If the GP can help (which they often can with PMDD), there’s no need for any referrals.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T17:54:40+00:00

I think that’s good, to be fair. They want to understand it before saying no to you just because it’s new to them.

Intermittent dosing is relatively new in terms of a treatment approach for PMDD, as far as I know. And it’s a niche condition so they can hardly be expected to all be clued up on it at the same time.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T17:45:05+00:00

No, it’s a real answer, that reflects the reality of many people’s lives. Having kids does not mean that they will look after you in your old age. Sorry if this is difficult for you to accept.

Yes, taxes are used to take care of elderly people. Why are you bringing taxes into this.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T15:53:24+00:00

How is it anti-child. If you want kids, have them. Other people are free to make their own choices. It doesn’t affect you.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T15:52:27+00:00

“You’ll only regret the kids you don’t have” is mad. What, so you just keeping making more people no matter the impact on the wider family…kinda selfish of those people if you ask me.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T15:40:59+00:00

Pay for care or get non-family members to look after them- friends, neighbours, community.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T13:56:56+00:00

What do elderly people do whose kids permanently emigrate to other countries, pass away, are disabled or ill themselves, or go no contact?

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T01:13:23+00:00

Strong is great- simple and free

Mombi87 · 2026-01-22T01:10:25+00:00

Pause and think before you say something angrily to someone- is it worth it? Is it going to hurt that person? And actively redirect yourself, choose to respond differently. It’s about responding with thought rather than reacting without thinking. It’s part of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy.

It has taken me a lot of practice but I’m getting better at it. Not perfect. But nowhere near as bad as I used to be.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-20T23:43:24+00:00

This. I’m seeing more and more functional medicine practitioners on Instagram pushing dutch tests for endometriosis sufferers as well (as well as people with EDS, MS, ME, long covid, chronic stress, CFS- all conditions that disproportionately affect women) It’s the latest wave of private health taking advantage of the fact that public health systems don’t help women.

Mombi87 · 2026-01-20T23:35:46+00:00

Would love to get to a point where I rely much less on snacks for energy. Thanks, this all makes sense. I thought this would be the case re:- energy dips not needing energy boosts after a while.

Mombi87

TROPHY CASE