Bringing PMDD Awareness into the Classroom

Joel Geisz

My wife and I were with dear friends Susan and Greg on a weekend getaway trip, just a couple of weeks after Christina passed away. Susan shared Christina’s story with us while it was still raw and painful. Christina's story resonated with me. I am married and have four daughters (and a son) and hearing that PMDD can be so disruptive, even to the point of suicide, was disturbing. I teach anatomy & physiology as well as medical terminology to high school students. My classes generally are populated by girls more than boys. So, I have a platform and an audience for at least bringing PMDD to the attention of a population of girls (and boys who may be boyfriends, future husbands, and fathers).

Upon returning from our trip, I updated my notes in medical terminology for the reproductive system chapter in the section where we were going over terms for disorders and diagnostic terms relating to the female reproductive system. PMDD is mentioned in our book, but very briefly along with PMS and various other menstrual irregularities (dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, etc.). I added a bit of information to the slides I present about PMDD. More importantly, when I reach the slide about PMDD, I tell Christina's story. Her story resonates with my students and they often have questions related to why nobody figured out what was going on before it was too late. I try to make the point that her story could have turned out differently with a quicker diagnosis and treatment plan but that would require healthcare professionals to be aware that this is even a diagnosis.. I have also begun to include Christina's story in my anatomy & physiology classes since that gives me an even wider audience.

While I do not know of any girls who have sought treatment or have self-identified as having PMDD, I am hopeful that having at least heard of it once in their life, maybe it will be the difference-maker for some of my students in the future.