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A word of advice: Think before you call a Code Red

Tory Shepherd

by Tory Shepherd

18 Oct 11:30am

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Filed under: Health, Menstruation, Periods, Science, Women

91 comments

There’s still something murky and mythical about menstruation, that most mundane of things.


It’s all tied up with notions of womanliness, of moons and mysticism. Despite ads reaching saturation point (sorry) with advice on how to deal with periods, unless you’ve had one, you probably don’t know all that much about them.

Truth is, they’re a pain in the… well. They’re a pain. They’re annoying. And they can make some women a little bit crazy some of the time.

https://twitter.com/ToryShepherdBut a study just out has found that the ‘crazy’ is overstated, overused, oversimplified.

Only about 15 per cent of negative moods are associated purely with the pre-menstrual phase, according to Canadian scientists who did a meta-analysis of 47 studies. They found the “puzzlingly widespread belief” that there is a general link between menstruation and mood “needs challenging”.

That’s because women start to get asked (in my case, at a far too young age) whether they’ve got their period every time they’re snarky, or tired, or just a little bit grumpy.

There is nothing more infuriating, especially when you’re in that easily-infuriated stage of adolescence, than when you’re genuinely upset about something really crap that has happened, only to have someone most charmingly ask you if you’re ‘on your rags’.

It’s enough to make you lash out in a most irrational manner, or crumple into tears. And so the stereotype persists.

Of course, women are culpable too. I’ve been guilty on occasion of having a little outburst apropos of nothing and finding it easier to blame it on hormones than on a general ennui and frustration at the meaninglessness of life.

What’s important about this study out today in Gender Medicine, though, is that it’s a solid review of the science, and what it has found is that women are neither all skydiving and horseriding the second they get their period; nor are they all hysterical beasts in that danger period before.

It affects everyone differently. Up to 8 per cent of women suffer premenstrual dysphoric disorder. That sounds like a real bitch – it causes severe depression and anxiety and it’s at this extreme end of the spectrum that it can be used in a court of law as a defence against crimes ranging from shoplifting to murder.

For 15 per cent of women there’s a very real connection between hormonal fluctuation and mood. Then there’s the rest of us who sometimes suffer mood swings at different stages of our cycle… which may, or may not, be actually related to aforementioned cycle.

So people, please, listen to the science if not to the woman in your life. It may be hormonal, but it may not. Ask. Listen. But don’t just call a Code Red without thinking about it first.

Twitter: @ToryShepherd

Comments on this post will close at 8pm AEST.

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91 comments

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    • SydneyGirl says:

      11:00am | 18/10/12

      Cue everyone saying that PMS does exist. One of those things where even the champions of science are willing to accept any guff because it has to do with women.  As I found when I refuted PMS related “emotions” in a thread awhile back.

      Thank the medical industry for all lady complaints that need to be immediately addressed by a pill.

      Now excuse me while I take something for my vapours.

      Reply

    • MammaMia says:

      11:51am | 18/10/12

      Just because YOU don’t experience PMS doesnt mean it doesnt exist ! Some months, I do (and personally, I can tell I’m being irrational, or overdramatic and try to reign it in), and some months I don’t. We’re all different - i am sure your “lady symptoms” are different to yours, and different again to the next woman.

    • Rose says:

      12:54pm | 18/10/12

      My mother once told me (actually, often told me) that PMS is irrelevant. that even if it made you feel like crap it’s no excuse to behave badly. My sister, who is the queen of PMS, regularly uses it to attack those who disagree with her (that’s why I got the lectures, there was no getting through to her). the other thing mum used to say was that it’s not a spectator sport and there is no reason why anybody should know where you are in your cycle, that that is just bad manners to discuss.
      Now I’m not as rigid about these things as mum was but I get her point. You may not be able to control how you feel but you can certainly control how you behave. Secondly, why the hell would it interest anybody else whether you have your period at any given time or not?

    • Kika says:

      01:04pm | 18/10/12

      SydneyGirl - Speak for yourself! It does exist. You may be one of the fortunate ones but for me, my sister, my mother and the rest of the females in my family we all get it. A lot of people do - just because you don’t.

    • SydneyGirl says:

      01:15pm | 18/10/12

      Sigh it looks like the Punch censor is on again. I will rephrase because I should not be addressing individual perceptions/experiences.

      The point of my post was that the overturning of this myth is long overdue.  Mainly because this PMS belief is taken as extending to all women which just perpetuates the old furphy of women being irrational creatures ruled by their hormones. As Tory rightly states having your behaviour put down to the time of the month for the millionth time can make even the most sane woman want to punch the person before her, no matter what the day is.

      PS: Further to what Rose says we were encouraged to do PT etc. even when we had our periods. In short encouraged to take it as just another fact of life to be taken in one’s stride instead of building a weepy industry around it.

    • Phil says:

      01:17pm | 18/10/12

      Its called PMS because mad cows desease was already taken HA

    • SydneyGirl says:

      01:17pm | 18/10/12

      Furthermore there is no “just because you don’t”  here.  I am not speaking for myself but dispassionately on the “condition”.

    • subotic says:

      01:20pm | 18/10/12

      I’ve never had it either SG, so I know it ain’t real…. raspberry

    • Admiral Ackbar says:

      01:28pm | 18/10/12

      Actually Kika, not many women actually get it. A bad mood may be easily attributed to something unrelated, like being a bitch. Did you read the article?

    • HappyG says:

      01:46pm | 18/10/12

      @Kika. You seem to be in a perpetual state of PMS. Anyone who dares to disagree with you usually gets a spray.

    • Markus says:

      03:07pm | 18/10/12

      “As Tory rightly states having your behaviour put down to the time of the month for the millionth time can make even the most sane woman want to punch the person before her, no matter what the day is”

      Yes, because I’m sure you would handle it much better if somebody did not give you the benefit of the doubt (hormones) and instead just attributed your behaviour to you being an intolerable cow.

    • Kika says:

      03:22pm | 18/10/12

      @HappyG - How offensive. No, that’s just me. What, can’t handle a debate?  And besides I am pregnant so no PMS here.

    • Kika says:

      03:23pm | 18/10/12

      Admiral Akbar - An opinion piece by Tory is not a scientific paper. Did you read what I said? I said all the females in my family get it and a lot of people do. I didn’t say ALL.

    • SydneyGirl says:

      03:59pm | 18/10/12

      Here comes along that redoubtable champion of women, Markus.

      True that. Normal annoyance/irritation = intolerable cow.  And isn’t it nice when some kind man forgives you because it is that time of the month? The darlings! 

      Sometimes I do wonder what the daily male bilge here can be attributed to.  Time to get back to the lab and find a male behaviour regulating hormone. Next project, yay!!!

    • the cynic says:

      04:34pm | 18/10/12

      It certainly does exist,  in my household at least, so much so that I have no need for a calendar,  regular as clockwork I know when it’s time to zip the lip and tip toe around egg shells : ) . Luckily it is now only once a month since the oldest feral left home to make her hubbies life as miserable as mine was when the wife and her used to compete for being the biggest pain in the rear end .

    • James says:

      04:53pm | 18/10/12

      Yeah its called using your brain, lucky we have 2 right?

    • Guest says:

      11:10am | 18/10/12

      Fascinating article.  I would like to know more about the control group - presumably they are women not on the pill which would affect the outcome?  I’ve always been particularly interested in the amount of women on the pill who complain of PMT and say they can ‘tell’ when they’re ovulating.  Maybe I’m misinformed but I thought the pill prevented ovulation and the associated hormone swings.  I don’t use the pill and can notice changes in mood just before my period (or at least I thought I did!), but the severity depends on other things going on in my life.

      Reply

    • pa_kelvin says:

      11:11am | 18/10/12

      Tory….. I have hormonal treatment for my cancer. This creates a false menopause type of symtem in me… Hot flushes, sore boobs, and most of all IRRATABILITY!!!! To all you women out there ,I know how you feel…..

      Reply

    • Dan Webster says:

      11:50am | 18/10/12

      I hope that you conquer your cancer.

    • pa_kelvin says:

      12:16pm | 18/10/12

      Thanks Dan,working on it… smile

    • nihonin says:

      01:23pm | 18/10/12

      Hope all goes well for you pa_kelvin.

    • nihonin says:

      11:15am | 18/10/12

      I still don’t trust anyone, who can bleed for a week and not die.  wink

      Reply

    • pa_kelvin says:

      11:45am | 18/10/12

      nihonin….oldy but goody.. smile

    • esteban says:

      12:01pm | 18/10/12

      My 15 year old son would probably think that is funny.

      How about some more mature jokes like farts for instance.

    • nihonin says:

      12:51pm | 18/10/12

      esteban, I think your comment fell flat(ulated) smile

    • Kika says:

      01:12pm | 18/10/12

      Because Nihonin, we only lose a teaspoon of actual blood. The majority is waste uterine tissue. Ewww!

    • pa_kelvin says:

      01:48pm | 18/10/12

      You’ll soon see tampons with bells attached…...There for the Xmas period.. smile

    • Esteban says:

      01:58pm | 18/10/12

      nihonin. That is better !! I would insert a smiley face but I don’t know how to.

    • nihonin says:

      02:14pm | 18/10/12

      lol@pa_kelvin.  Now they would be a fun present to give.

    • subotic says:

      11:15am | 18/10/12

      For 15 per cent of women there’s a very real connection between hormonal fluctuation and mood.

      For the rest, let’s just kick it up to “I am woman, hear me roar, bitches”.

      Now, get out of my damn way….

      Reply

    • Fiddler says:

      12:23pm | 18/10/12

      and get me a goddam sammich

    • Admiral Ackbar says:

      01:22pm | 18/10/12

      Them hormones must be fluctuating like a mofo.

      “And they can make some women a little bit crazy some of the time.”

      Now Tory, you’re being modest.

    • line says:

      11:41am | 18/10/12

      Surely your just trolling the black shirts again. You *have* to know what the reaction is going to be……..wow is this going to get ugly. This article is about as responsible as bringing a minority to a KKK meeting.  Sure its still the KKK folks who are ultimately responsible for what they say – buts it kinda irresponsible of you to bait them into saying it.

      Giving this topic to “Australia’s most black shirt populated conversation” is like giving matches to children.

      For my two cents, when I’m suffering pain (I have just had a root canal done so I had a fair bit o tooth pain and lack of sleep leading up to that) – I’m more likely to say something rude or snap at someone. It’s a reason – but its not an excuse. I apologise. I’ve noticed that most ladies do as well. But man or woman, we all have our bad moments on bad days– the better ones of us fess up n apologise. 

      Also calling “code red” is just plain rude.

      Reply

    • subotic says:

      12:10pm | 18/10/12

      it (sic) kinda irresponsible of you to bait them into saying it.

      No it’s not, line. It’s called “FUN”.

    • tez says:

      01:56pm | 18/10/12

      Gee you would not want to have root canal every 28 day then

    • Tubesteak says:

      03:26pm | 18/10/12

      Tell me more about these black shirts?

      Are they long-sleeved? T-shirts? What do you have to do to own one? Do they have meetings?

      Is their first rule not to talk about the black shirts? Is their second rule the same as their first rule? Is their third rule that if it’s your first night at black shirt that you have to black shirt?

    • line says:

      04:29pm | 18/10/12

      Tubesteak.

      Nothing as entertaining as that sadly.

      Under “Black shirts” disambiguation in wikipeida (the slackest way I could tell you about them):

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fathers’_rights_movement

      You can bet Tory was fully aware she’d be trollin’ the trolls on this one.

    • Anjuli says:

      11:41am | 18/10/12

      I was one of those who the pill in its” earlier days had an adverse affect or so the medical people thought ,I had a cardiac arrest was hospitalized for a month   . So had to endure years of terrible pain and irregular periods.

      Reply

    • Dan Webster says:

      11:46am | 18/10/12

      As someone who has been lucky enough to be with the same lovely lady for twenty years. I can DEFINITELY say there is a link between mood change and menstrual cycles. I don’t need a scientist to say otherwise.
      The best days for me are the ones leading to and then just a few days after the monthly event. I enjoy those few days immensely. She is so lovely and affectionate during that time. As for the rest of the time, well, we all have good and bad days.

      Reply

    • TheRealDave says:

      12:15pm | 18/10/12

      PMS is a danger that we should be educating ALL of society about. Its a great danger to men and is something the public is not educated enough about. A good mate of mine died from PMS - his missus got the shits and killed him wink

      Reply

    • Sickemrex says:

      06:50pm | 18/10/12

      GREAT read, thanks for the link. Sometimes I think I’m okay at putting my thoughts on paper in an articulate and mildly entertaining way, then an article like that reminds me to stick to reading.

    • Chris L says:

      12:31pm | 18/10/12

      There’s a lot of misinformation out there. For years I avoided seeing the movie Crimson Tide only to find out it’s actually centres around a long, phallic object full of seamen. The fact that there’s some sort of looming nuclear apocalypse might be involved in the metaphore as well.

      When will the lies end?

      Reply

    • pa_kelvin says:

      12:56pm | 18/10/12

      ChrisL….. Did you spell seamen right??? smile

    • TheRealDave says:

      01:13pm | 18/10/12

      There’s only 1 Crimson Tide and they are currently 6-0

      Roll Tide!

    • nihonin says:

      01:25pm | 18/10/12

      I wonder, if in the Navy they still say, all seamen on the poop deck?  smile

    • ByStealth says:

      12:36pm | 18/10/12

      In some cases I think people ask because they want to know if they should give you a little bit of leeway in your behaviour if it seems uncharacteristic or out of place. Other times, I’ll agree its just a method of gaslighting to dismiss your opinion as emotional and unfounded.

      What’s the appropriate option? Hold women 100% accountable for their behaviour, no matter how irrational (I’m in this camp)? or treat them as mentally ill and give them a pass when they do something inappropriate due to their emotions?

      Maybe the best way is to give everyone the benefit of the doubt if they react in a way that’s out of character (eg guys snapping because the baby kept them up all night).

      Reply

    • Mahhrat says:

      01:28pm | 18/10/12

      As usual, the voice of reason.

      I did have that argument with soon-to-be-Mrs-Mahhrat.  She was cranky and out of sorts.  I asked her why she was being so snarky to me, and she said, “Sorry, it’s that time of month.”

      I responded, “And that’s my fault?”

      Of course it’s not and she said it wasn’t.  Now, rather than me having to guess, she tells me when she’s in a bad mood - usually before we fight - and asks me to give her some space.

      It’s so good to know when to just leave her be.  It’s such a .. mature .. way of doing things.

    • Bitten says:

      02:38pm | 18/10/12

      Nicely put Stealth.

    • Anubis says:

      03:16pm | 18/10/12

      But @ Mahhrat - sometimes it can be quite entertaining to “poke the bear”

    • Wisteria says:

      03:30pm | 18/10/12

      I’ve had to speak to some of my female staff (and I am female myself) about them blaming bitchy behaviour in the office on their cycle.  I can see that it’s relevant to give some leeway within your personal relationships, but suck it up when it comes to the work environment.

    • Clayton says:

      06:00pm | 18/10/12

      When I was younger I shared a house with my girlfriend (now wife) my sister and her boyfriend (now husband) and the girls got in sync.  So when “the got their bitch on” as we called it we would have a few boys nights down at the pub, They stayed home and ate comfort food and watched crap (to us) films and all in the world was good.

    • OchreBunyip says:

      06:44pm | 18/10/12

      @ByStealth, you can’t hold women accountable! The very fabric of space-time will rend asunder. Somehow it HAS to be a man’s fault, every time.

    • Oliver says:

      12:58pm | 18/10/12

      Man or a woman but no abusive behavior should be justified by hormonal imbalance. Elevated levels of testosterone in men doesn’t give you a pass to be a d*#! PMS or not but it shouldn’t be an excuse either!

      Reply

    • nihonin says:

      01:34pm | 18/10/12

      Agree Oliver, men are expected to remain calm and in control, even when you feel like smashing the fuck out of something or someone, yet women, can use any manner of excuse (PMS is a favourite) to hurl abuse or be violent towards either a male or a female, lets get equality for all.

    • Greg says:

      03:17pm | 18/10/12

      @nihonin, “equality for all”? How 1970s.

      Equality would be a backward step for women, especially in areas like reproductive rights, family law, domestic violence and judicial treatment and criminal sentencing.

      Contemporary feminists don’t want equality anymore, and even affirmative action quotas are getting harder to justify now that female dominated service industry jobs are surviving the GFC better.

      The new demand is for “women’s empowerment”. In other words, women want preferential treatment because…....well,..... just because!!!

      Any anybody who even questions this new demand must be a misogynist. So there.

      You need to get with the program.

    • Glen says:

      01:13pm | 18/10/12

      So would it be appropriate to call Tory a misoginist here?  Maybe they can add another definition in the dictionary wink

      Reply

    • Kika says:

      01:18pm | 18/10/12

      I used to suffer from PMT and once my thryroid stated going haywire this transformed into PMDD. Went on the pill and that was sorted pretty quickly. I never used to take the pill because I never found one that suited me - most made my PMT and my skin worse. Yaz worked wonders in so many ways. PMT definitely exists. I’d love to be one of those women who don’t believe it does exist! But it does! It’s not an excuse. When you have half a lifetime of losing the plot in the few days before your period you can add up the reasons why. It can’t ALWAYS be because of other things happening in your life making you go crazy at that particular time. And if the pill works for it, then it must be hormonal issue.

      Being pregnant I am actually feeling the best I’ve ever been. Even when my husband stirs me or goes nuts about something ridiculous (i.e. a broken coffee plunger) I am as cool as a cucumber. It’s really strange. Sometimes with pregnancy women get emotional but I seem to be the opposite - totally happy and calm.

      Reply

    • TheRealDave says:

      02:00pm | 18/10/12

      Excuse me, aa broken coffee plunger is no mere trifling matter that can be cast aside…...

    • Kika says:

      03:25pm | 18/10/12

      Yes, it can be. It’s just glass and can be replaced. That doesn’t deserve verbal abuse. We had an alternative.

    • Kika says:

      03:26pm | 18/10/12

      And besides - he broke the last 3 ones we had and all our glasses. This was my first.

    • pa_kelvin says:

      04:35pm | 18/10/12

      Kika….. The “alternative” wouldn’t have been instant coffee would it? Everbody knows you cant give a real man instant coffee….. smile Whens the baby due??

    • Nikki says:

      04:41pm | 18/10/12

      Kika, when I was pregnant I went through what you’re having now and called it the placid ‘broodmare’ stage. I totally did not give a shit about anything and nothing at all could piss me off. Enjoy it while it lasts. grin

    • Melanie says:

      01:19pm | 18/10/12

      You know, my take on the whole PMS thing isn’t that women are hormone-powered hysteria machines (although some men seem to think so), but that women are more likely to vocalise genuine complaints during this time. 75% of the month she bites her tounge about stuff that pisses her off, but for one week a month, the “better not say that” filters are removed.

      Reply

    • tez says:

      02:22pm | 18/10/12

      So true best comment yet

    • James says:

      04:12pm | 18/10/12

      As long as we get to do the same once a month….

    • Sickemrex says:

      06:56pm | 18/10/12

      @ James, as long as you get sore boobs and uncontrollable bleeding out an orifice five days a month.

    • Admiral Ackbar says:

      01:25pm | 18/10/12

      “it causes severe depression and anxiety and it’s at this extreme end of the spectrum that it can be used in a court of law as a defence against crimes ranging from shoplifting to murder.”

      You have got to be kidding.

      Reply

    • subotic says:

      02:10pm | 18/10/12

      You have got to be kidding

      Ummmm, no. Women’s rights n’all, y’know…...

    • Greg says:

      02:21pm | 18/10/12

      Unfortunately she isn’t kidding. It looks like “premenstrual dysphoric disorder” is intended to fill the gaps between murdering children (and blaming post natal depression) and murdering your husband (and blaming battered wife syndrome).

      Now women have an excuse for getting away with murder in any situation.

    • Admiral Ackbar says:

      02:50pm | 18/10/12

      So can guys use the same defence swapping PMS for man flu (which actually exists)? What a joke, next time someone harps on about women not being equal I will think of this and probably choke someone the hell out.

      In the words of the great philosopher Mr West “That shit cray”.

    • Greg says:

      03:02pm | 18/10/12

      It is the equivalent of a rapist blaming a testosterone surge for a rape.

      “I couldn’t help it, your honour, I was a victim of my hormones”

      Don’t like it? Hey, just listen to the science.

    • Carz says:

      03:20pm | 18/10/12

      I wish I could trade lives with you for a day every month then. You try living with near suicidal depression for 24 - 48 hours every month, as well as crippling anxiety. It is only that I have made the connection to my menstrual cycle that I can step back a little and see what is happening and what is causing it.

    • Greg says:

      04:34pm | 18/10/12

      Hey Carz, I’m not denying that PMS exists, or that hormones can influence behaviour (both male and female).

      My grievance is the Orwellian doublethink that feminists expect us to maintain.

      ie testosterone is an inherently evil hormone, permanently active in all men, that always explains but never excuses any form of bad male behaviour, from insensitive comments to rape and domestic violence.

      By contrast, female hormones are only ever relevant as an excuse for bad or criminal female behaviour, and as a justification for avoiding the consequences of such behaviour. The rest of the time it is misogynistic to even mention them, let alone suggest that they can affect a woman’s behaviour.

      In other words, the existance of male hormones in men always proves their guilt, while the existance of female hormones in women absolves them of any guilt. You know that it’s true.

    • Jay2 says:

      01:27pm | 18/10/12

      I would agree the abusrdity of feminine hygiene ads. An attractive woman, no hormonal zits or bloating, smiling at the world, smiling at the fact she has her period and can use these glorious products which just enhance her perfect day, in her perfect life , in her perfect world- which usually consists of white sheets, white clothes and a white bathroom.

      Me,on the other hand, I don’t know what is worse, that one dark day of PMS that descends every month without fail, prior to a period, or having to deal with my period itself. The irritability, disrupted sleep, headaches, backaches, ovary pain;going from crying over nothing to being angry over nothing; suddenly every day odours seem to become enhanced and offensive, I can’t even stand clothes touching my skin.
      I’ve tried hormonal treatments; complimentary medicines, dietary alterations, but still that short brief stint of utter misery remains.
      I was relatively old when I started, nearly 16, but I far from embracing “I’m a real woman now”, I grieved for the carefree days and resented like hell the major change which was only exacerbated by the terrible physical and emotional changes that went with it.
      @Bystealth,yeah, I can’t even answer that one, I know my patience and irritability seem quite bad for one day a month, I tend to try and keep to myself because I do become completely irrational. I don’t there should be a free pass for treating somebody less than they deserve, yet I find myself being totally unreasonable over nothing in particular. I apologise and if I feel my irritability surfacing, I do try and alter my behaviour, but my ‘bitchface’ is still present. PMS is (for me) completely different from a night or more of sleep deprivation.
      I would just say to you, just as I do for my Husband. I’m sorry for being totally unreasonable and even a little mean, I hope that the other three and three quarter weeks per month of my normal self makes up for the other few days when I’m unpleasant to be around and I do feel dreadful for being difficult. When I’m aware (I’m irregular) I actually do try and forewarn my family, so they do kindly cut me some slack for being, well, a bit of a bitch.

      Reply

    • Tony of Poorakistan says:

      01:56pm | 18/10/12

      it isn’t any big deal - I just make them sleep in another room and eat separate meals for a while.

      Reply

    • Evalee says:

      01:56pm | 18/10/12

      I agree with the comment above - I don’t need a scientist to tell me what is going on in my own body.  I can feel things changing and ask myself if it is a Code Red situation when I find myself easily distraught. 

      Every day I give my best.  Depending on the day, my best may vary.  But it is always the best I can do. Human beings are not machines and it is unreasonable to expect we will be 100% all of the time. 

      To paraphrase Leonard Cohen, ‘There is a crack in everything, that is how the light gets in.”

      There are so many delightful imperfect things.  Why should I pass them up for perfection all of the time?

      Reply

    • Ian1 says:

      02:22pm | 18/10/12

      This : “it causes severe depression and anxiety and it’s at this extreme end of the spectrum that it can be used in a court of law as a defence against crimes ranging from shoplifting to murder.” 

      If an employer in retail believes their business is better suited by a woman without the disorder over somone with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, simply because they feel their stock may be more easily recovered in the event of thieving hands, are they in breach of the law?

      I am pretty sure 8% of the women in the workforce are about to be viewed with greater suspicion.

      Would recruitment agencies be in breach of their duty of care?  Would pharmacists? 

      So many questions, questions which need answers…

      Reply

    • Jay2 says:

      03:24pm | 18/10/12

      Based upon that pretense, I guess the same could be argued with abnormally(non sterioid induced)elevated/ or decreased levels of testosterone within a percentage of the male population, which gives a predisopostion to mood swings; rages; depression etc etc.

      As far as hiring a woman without PMDD vs hiring a woman with a positive diagnosis of PMDD, how does the potential employer get access to such medical information to begin with and does this in turn leave that employer at risk of legal litigation for discrimination?
      Hypothetically, if the Employer does have access to such sensitive (and beyond the normal employee medical testing)information, how does one prove the severity and potential of PMDD?
      No, I seriously doubt this would even be a legal possibility, because what employer would risk a lawsuit and potentially damaging publicity.

    • Greg says:

      03:32pm | 18/10/12

      There is no scientific test or impartial analysis that can determine the existance of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in a woman.

      It only exists when she says it does.

      And it never exists when she is applying for a job or a promotion, or in any situation where mental stability is important.

      It only exists when some sort of bad behaviour, under performance or criminal activity needs to be explained and excused.

      It really isn’t that hard to understand, and if you don’t understand, then you must be a misogynist.

    • Ian1 says:

      04:56pm | 18/10/12

      Without disclosing medical information, couldn’t an employer ask “Is there any reason you know of which may affect your ability to be held accountable for your actions whilst in my employ?” and remain within their legal right?

      Wouldn’t a person be breaching their duty of care to a potential employer not to disclose that they have a condition (remain nameless) which may make them more likely to steal, through to murder, other co-workers, or clients?

      A condition such as this presents a real and current threat to life and property, according to common law if what the author of the article said is true by my interpretation, as such it ought to be something managed with great care. 

      If our law allows for conditions (including the hypothetical high testosterone defence as suggested - for assaults through to rape -  just for arguments sake only, in a maturely understood manner free from misogyny and misandry) which pose threats as discussed, then I would like to continue discourse and find out whether people are aware of these conditions (other than the 8% of the women and those who diagnose), and are happy for the status quo to remain such.

      Can anyone see the issue?

      Does not the law apply equally?

    • Gomez12 says:

      02:29pm | 18/10/12

      So it might be a code red, or it might not be, and you might tell us, and you might not. And you might also tell us it is to excuse yourself when you know it isn’t because it’s easier. And it might affect you and it might not, badly or lightly regularly or irregularly. And there was a study on it.

      Well. I’m glad we have that all sorted out and squared away. I know myself and all the other fella’s out there have found this very educational and informative and will instantly change the way we do and don’t deal with the women in our lives who do, or don’t, or may, be suffereing from a PMS, or not.

      Think I’ll just keep right on ignoring it and treating people the same all month long. Crazy-brave man that I am.

      Reply

    • Tanya says:

      03:03pm | 18/10/12

      To say nothing of the phenomenon that feels something like a tennis ball lodged in your frontal lobe interfering with spatial orientation :/

      Reply

    • Subotic likes blue chalk says:

      03:20pm | 18/10/12

      Should it be a Code Red - according to all the research (just about every damn tampon ad made) everything turns blue. Wouldn’t it therefore be called a Code Blue?

      Reply

    • J says:

      03:47pm | 18/10/12

      As someone who suffers from PMDD - and trust me, *suffer* is the right word - I can tell you it is a living for for 4-8 days per month. Constant thoughts of suicide and being COMPLETELY out of control of even the simplest thought process. It has caused me to miss many days work when I simply could not be around people for fear of what I would say or do.

      I have had the blood tests which confirmed an enormous fluctuation in my hormone levels at “that time of the month” and after much trial and error my doctor has me on a handful of pills which, taken together, alleviate this somewhat. It’s still not what my doctor would judge “successful” however, and the current recommendation is for a full hysterectomy at the age of 39.

      With all due respect to those who regard PMS and PMDD as a myth, or an excuse by women to “crack the shits” once a month, please know that for some of us it truly is a nightmare. I would give a lot to not go through it each month.

      Reply

    • jason says:

      04:46pm | 18/10/12

      The issue is that being nice costs nothing, no matter what issues we go through we have no right to act the wrong way towards others. Women shouldnt be able to hide behind this issue, at the end of the day they are civilised human beings not animals.

      That being said, I cant physically imagine what you go through but I do have the same mental issues… just all the time!

    • PJ says:

      03:48pm | 18/10/12

      Men have there challenges. Try not having had sex for 6 months and the unpredictability that brings to the comfort level of your pants, when suddenly, through no fault of your own, extra volume must be accommodated.

      Lets imagine that eye watering, volume expanse strikes a couple of minutes before you’re due to deliver the second part of the presentation to a top 100 Companies First Level Leaders.

      What do you do? What are your options?

      Reply

    • James says:

      03:59pm | 18/10/12

      No matter what hormonal issue you have, it gives you no right to act like a bitch. Do you give blokes a free pass because of the effect of testosterone…. didnt think so.

      Reply

    • seniorcynic says:

      06:14pm | 18/10/12

      I notice that Woolworths no longer have “red spot specials.”

      Reply

    • Melanie says:

      06:17pm | 18/10/12

      FTM transpeople often say that once they are on make hormones their rage and aggression increases. So perhaps men are hormone-driven bitches all the time? what do you think, James?

      Reply
 
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