Woman finally uncovers what caused her years of bloating, fatigue and low mood

Woman finally uncovers what caused her years of bloating, fatigue and low moodPolly Martinovic, 29, said she felt dismissed when she asked her GPs for help dealing with her symptomsCommentsNewsAmber O'Connor Money and Lifestyle reporter U35s15:38, 13 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesPolly Martinovic wants to raise awareness of PMDD(Image: Polly Martinovic)A woman has shared how she suffered from panic attacks and low mood for years before being diagnosed with the chronic condition behind her symptoms. Polly Martinovic, 29, is one of the 31 million women and girls globally thought to be living with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).‌According to Mind, PMDD is a 'very severe form of premenstrual syndrome' that 'causes a range of emotional and physical symptoms every month during the week or two before your period.' The mental health charity says the exact causes of PMDD are not fully understood, but research suggests there are some factors that could affect PMDD, such as genetics or trauma.‌Tragically, Polly started experiencing symptoms after a death in the family. She told The Mirror: "I lost my sister about five and a half years ago. That's when it all started."‌Polly's symptoms included breast pain, bloating, and fatigue, as well as anxiety, panic attacks, and low mood. But she says she felt "dismissed" when she turned to GPs for help."Nobody had mentioned PMDD to me at all; I had no idea what it was," Polly recalls. "I was just told I was a little bit sensitive to hormonal changes."View 3 ImagesPolly is pictured with her sister Harriet in 2018(Image: Polly Martinovic)‌She added: "I wasn't sure mentally whether this was grief that I was suffering from. I was told that I was depressed, and I was put on antidepressants." It was a challenging time for Polly and her parents, who watched on feeling 'helpless'. All the while, the family were grieving Polly's older sister.Bu...