"It's like the colour just drains out of your life for two weeks a month."
What happens when the coping strategies that got you through your whole life suddenly stop working the moment you become a mum? Ellisha sits down with psychologist, speaker and mother-of-three Dr Tuesday Watts for an honest, moving conversation covering unmasking after motherhood, the reality behind her polished social media presence, and getting diagnosed with PMDD while raising three small, neurodivergent-leaning children of her own.
What We Cover
Dr Tuesday takes us back to her years as an academic psychologist, and how becoming a mum unravelled the perfectionism she'd relied on her whole life - the "swan analogy" of looking calm on the surface while paddling like hell underneath.
She describes PMDD in vivid, unforgettable terms: the colour draining out of her life for two weeks a month, and the full-body despair of only getting a handful of good days to treasure before the fog rolls back in.
Dr Tuesday was diagnosed earlier this year after a wave of racing thoughts and anxiety she couldn't explain - and shares the GP appointment she'd geared up to fight for, only to be believed within minutes.
She unpacks the emerging links between PMDD, ADHD and early perimenopause, and why she's already thinking about how to support her two daughters through it.
We get into the practical tools that help her regulate in the luteal phase - from construction-site ear defenders to limiting scrolling - and why "lowering the bar" is her biggest act of self-compassion.
Ellisha and Dr Tuesday close out with listener dilemmas on trusting intuition over PMDD-fuelled thoughts, and how to parent through the guilt of snapping at your kids without losing yourself to shame.
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Timestamps00:00 - Welcome to Dr Tuesday and the reality behind the social media highlight reel
02:59 - From academic psychologist to unmasking as a mother
09:03 - What PMDD actually feels like, and getting diagnosed
16:40 - Sensory overwhelm, ear defenders and surviving the luteal phase
40:14 - Listener dilemmas: intuition vs PMDD in relationships and parenting
58:53 - Quickfire questions and advice for anyone in the depths of it right now
This podcast explores research and lived experience around women's health and chronic conditions. Our discussions aim to reflect current evidence while acknowledging that understanding in this field continues to evolve. The content is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners experiencing significant or distressing symptoms should seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
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Produced by @the32collective_
What is The Hormonal Hotline?
Ever feel like your health struggles are "all in your head"? It’s time to change the narrative.
Welcome to the supportive, straight talking "girls group chat" you’ve been waiting for. Hosted by Ellisha - your resident big sister, fellow struggler, and open book - this podcast is a safe space for young women navigating the complexities of health issues like PMDD, ADHD, and everything in between.
We know what it’s like to be chronically online but feel completely unheard. Whether you’re paralyzed by information overload, tired of doctors dismissing your pain, or fearing your symptoms are impacting your relationships and career, we’re here to cut through the noise.
What to expect each week:
Raw & Relatable Chat: No inaccessible celebrities here - just real stories from "normal" women going through the exact same thing.
The Hormone Hotline: We dive into your anonymous listener dilemmas from across the web to provide actionable advice and support.
Self-Advocacy Tools: We move from feeling silenced to feeling empowered, equipping you with the confidence to advocate for your physical and mental health.
Stop the chronic comparison and start healing. It’s time to move from overwhelmed to equipped.
Hit follow and join the chat. You aren't falling behind, and you certainly aren't alone.