Finding Balance: A Holistic Approach to PMDD

Nancy Williams-Foley • 20 March 2025

Finding Balance: A Holistic Approach to PMDD

Hi, I’m Nancy, an integrative therapist, and if you’re reading this, chances are you know the rollercoaster that is PMDD.


Maybe you feel like a completely different person for two weeks out of every month—anxious, irritable, exhausted, or completely overwhelmed. Maybe your relationships have suffered because people just don’t understand why you suddenly shut down or lash out. Maybe you’ve been told to "just get over it," or that it’s "just PMS," even though deep down, you know it’s so much more than that.


💛 I see you. I hear you. And I want you to know you’re not alone.


The Silent Struggle of PMDD


One of the hardest things about PMDD is how much it makes you doubt yourself. When you’re in the thick of it, it feels like your emotions are betraying you—convincing you that you’re failing, that you’re not good enough, that everything is falling apart. And then, like clockwork, your period comes, and the fog lifts.


You look back and wonder, Was that really me?


This cycle can chip away at your confidence, your relationships, and your well-being. And because PMDD is so misunderstood, it’s easy to feel isolated—or worse, to gaslight yourself into thinking you should be able to "handle it better."


But what if you could break that cycle?


A Holistic Approach: Self-Compassion, Self-Care & Acupuncture


PMDD isn’t just about hormones—it’s about your entire system. It affects your nervous system, your stress response, and your emotional well-being. One of the biggest shifts in managing PMDD is learning to work with your body, instead of fighting against it.


That means deep, sustainable self-care—not just bubble baths and early nights (though those can help!), but practices that truly support your nervous system, balance your hormones, and bring you back to yourself.


Here’s what I’ve seen truly help:

🌿 Self-Compassion First – You are not broken. PMDD is real, and it’s okay to need extra care during certain times of the month.

🧘‍♀️ Nervous System Support – Meditation, breathwork, and grounding techniques can help regulate emotions before they spiral.

🍎 Nutrition & Lifestyle Adjustments – Blood sugar stability is key. Skipping meals or relying on caffeine and sugar can make symptoms far worse.

💆‍♀️ Acupuncture for Deep Balance – Acupuncture can help regulate hormones, calm the nervous system, and reduce the intensity of PMDD symptoms over time.


Emma’s Story: From Chaos to Calm


Emma came to me feeling exhausted—physically, emotionally, and mentally. She had been battling PMDD for years, feeling like she had no control over her mind or emotions. She’d tried medication, supplements, and even therapy, but nothing seemed to stick.


At first, she was skeptical about acupuncture. How could a few tiny needles actually help with something this deep-rooted? But she was also desperate for relief, so she gave it a shot.


The first few sessions were subtle—she felt a little calmer, a little lighter, but nothing dramatic. Then, over time, the changes started adding up:

✔ Her anxiety didn’t spike as intensely before her period.

 ✔ The crushing fatigue wasn’t as overwhelming.

 ✔ The deep emotional spirals became more manageable.


It wasn’t a straight path. Some months were harder than others. There were setbacks. There were days she doubted whether it was working at all. But she stuck with it.

And eventually, something shifted.


Emma stopped feeling like she was losing herself every month. She built a routine that actually supported her well-being, instead of just pushing through. And today? She still experiences PMDD—but it no longer controls her.


She has the tools to manage it. She knows when to rest, when to reach out for support, and how to take care of herself before things spiral. And most importantly, she no longer feels lost in the cycle.


What If This Could Be You?

I know how hard this journey is. I know how easy it is to lose hope when you’ve tried so many things that didn’t work.


But I also know that healing is possible.

✨ It takes time.

✨ It takes patience.

✨ It takes a commitment to yourself.


If you’re ready to take that step, I’d love to help you find your balance.


Acupuncture isn’t a quick fix, but it is a powerful tool that can help regulate your hormones, calm your nervous system, and give you back a sense of control.


Let’s chat and see if this could be the missing piece for you. Book a consultation today—your future self will thank you. 💛


You deserve to feel at home in your own body. Let’s make that happen together.

by Nancy William-Foley 15 June 2025
You tell yourself you’re just tired. That it’s “just stress.”
by Nancy Williams-Foley 13 June 2025
You’ve journaled. You’ve talked to friends. Maybe you’ve even had counselling before. But despite everything, something still feels stuck.
by Nancy Williams-Foley 7 June 2025
How many times have you said, “I’m fine,” when really, you’re not?
by Nancy Williams-Foley 4 June 2025
You’re going to bed at a decent time. Maybe you’re even sleeping through the night. But when you wake up, you feel… exhausted.
by Nancy Williams-Foley 31 May 2025
Back pain. Shoulder tension. That aching stiffness in your neck after a long day.
by Nancy Williams-Foley 28 May 2025
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why?
by Nancy Williams-Foley 24 May 2025
In a world that moves fast and praises logic over intuition, many of us have learned to live in our heads - constantly thinking, analysing, and doing.
by Nancy Williams-Foley 22 May 2025
Have you ever been told you’re “too sensitive”?
by Nancy Williams-Foley 17 May 2025
Hormonal imbalances are incredibly common — especially among women — and yet, they’re often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or brushed off as “just part of life.”
by Nancy Williams-Foley 14 May 2025
Burnout doesn’t always look the way you’d expect. It’s not just exhaustion or overwhelm - sometimes it’s subtle.
by Nancy Williams-Foley 12 May 2025
If you live with anxiety, you’ve probably heard all the usual labels. "Overthinker." "Too sensitive." "Always worrying."
by Nancy Williams-Foley 9 May 2025
When we think of stress, we often picture big feelings - panic, overwhelm, racing thoughts. But stress doesn’t always shout.
More posts