There is a growing number of women who, despite finding the pandemic anxiety-inducing, have also found working from home to become somewhat of a relief; particularly women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

PMDD is “a particularly severe form of premenstrual syndrome,” explains Kate Sang, professor of Gender and Employment studies at Heriot-Watt University. Estimates of how prevalent health condition is varies considerably, but she tells Stylist that “Research evidence suggests that those with PMDD may be misdiagnosed with another condition such as depression,”

According to the NHS, most women will experience some PMS symptoms during their lifetime but for the most part, it is manageable. Nothing that some painkillers and a hot water bottle can’t fix. However, for 2-10% of women of reproductive age, their experience of PMS is far more intense.

This is something I know too well. After being diagnosed with PMDD over the past 12 months, although I was grappling with it for four years. When it comes to the symptoms, what I’ve found hardest is the depression and low mood. I’m very sensitive during this time. I get in my bed earlier than usual so I can have time to be sad before work as getting up can be very difficult.

Before the pandemic, a typical working day when my symptoms were in full drive was dreadful. My anxieties are often intensified and I’d find myself thinking about how I would survive in the office - even the thought of commuting was exhausting. I have often been worried about calling in sick and using my “women’s problem” as an excuse. Regularly, I would use the famous, “I am very under the weather” line in emails to lighten how I am truly feeling. But almost every month, I’d gather up the strength to go to work and put on a show of enthusiasm despite how much pain I was really in.

Women with chronic PMDD were scared to mention it in the office, this is how working from home has helped