PMDD - Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Dr Nikki Ramskill is running a workshop on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) at Vitalscan on Saturday 28 November, from 11:00 to 13:00. It's part of a monthly series of in-person sessions for women, and this one runs in two halves, one medical and one psychological.

The first half is the medical side of things. Dr Ramskill sets out what PMDD actually is and how it differs from PMS, the hormonal and physiological mechanisms that drive it, and the practicals of diagnosis, symptom tracking, and treatment options. If you've spent years wondering why your cycle feels more like a crisis than a nuisance, this is the part that puts a name to it and explains what's happening under the bonnet.

The second half shifts to the lived experience. It looks at the emotional fallout — the shame and self-doubt that can set in when you're not yourself — and the effect it has on partners and family. From there, it moves into practical psychological strategies and therapy. It's less about the biology and more about how you actually live with it day to day.

Throughout both halves, there's space for questions, conversation, and shared experiences, so it's not just a lecture. Places are limited to around 20, which keeps it small enough to actually talk and hear from others in the room. Dr Ramskill is the founder of The Female Health Doctor Clinic, and the session runs at the clinic's space within Vitalscan, 100 Avebury Boulevard, MK9 1FH. It's a two-hour session on a Saturday morning, 11:00 to 13:00.