PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) goes far beyond typical PMS, causing debilitating symptoms including extreme depression, intrusive thoughts, and reality distortion. FLOW's Sarah and Jessica sit down with Christina de la Riva, who shares her journey with diagnosis, shame, and initially thinking she was just "handling PMS poorly." Cristina also introduces the archetype of Lilith* as a framework for understanding PMDD, emphasizing how Lilith* validates the PMDD experience rather than pathologizing it.

*Often culturally constructed as a symbol of uncontrollable female rage, Lilith is reframed herein as an icon of wisdom, pleasure, and righteous anger.

As always, FLOW includes practical management strategies and a reminder to reach out for community support.

Program Notes:

Episode Links:

• International Association of Premenstrual Disorder (IAPMD) https://www.iapmd.org/pmdd-not-pms

• Pleasure Activism https://adriennemareebrown.net/

• University of Amnsterdam, Hermetic History Program https://ash.uva.nl/content/research-groups/history-of-hermetic-philosophy-and-related-currents/history-of-hermetic-philosophy-and-related-currents.html

• The Montrose Center / TX https://montrosecenter.org/

• Guest IG https://www.instagram.com/cristinadelariva/

• Guest Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinadelariva27/

How's Your Flow?

• We wanna know (Calendly link): https://calendly.com/flowtalk/flow-talk-period-pain-stories

Presenting Sponsor: #Takeda, visit bleedingdisorders.com to learn more.

Connect with BloodStream Media:

Find all of our bleeding disorders podcasts on

BloodStreamMedia.com

BloodStream on Facebook

BloodStream on Twitter

BloodStream on Instagram

BloodStream on TikTok

BloodStream on LinkedIn

Check out Believe Limited's Other Work:

Bombardier Blood: bombardierblood.com

My Beautiful Stutter: mybeautifulstutter.com/

Stop The Bleeding!: stbhemo.com

The Science Fair: thesciencefair.org

On the Shoulders of Giants: https://www.ontheshouldersfilm.com/

In this episode, hosts Jessica and Sarah FLOW with guest Amy Gaston to explore the groundbreaking future of menstrual aid. Join us to understand the science behind OhmBody's device, its impact on reducing blood loss - and how OhmBody's tech can improve overall quality of life for menstruators. Amy Gaston highlights the need for better menstrual education and research, and aims for a future where managing periods becomes seamless and integrated into daily life, "because life doesn't stop when you start."

Program Notes:

Episode Links:

• Ohm Body https://go.ohmbody.com/FLOW

• Re: neurostimulation https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1664433/full

• What is a PBAC? https://elearning.wfh.org/resource/pictorial-blood-loss-assessment-chart/

• Pictoral Blood Assessment Chart https://hemophiliafed.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PBAC_Weekly_Revised_08.23.23.pdf

• OhmBody Socials:

• • Ohm Body IG https://www.instagram.com/ohm.body

  • Ohm Body FB https://www.facebook.com/getohmbody/

  • Ohm Body TT https://www.tiktok.com/@ohmbody

How's Your Flow?

• We wanna know (Calendly link): https://calendly.com/flowtalk/flow-talk-period-pain-stories

Presenting Sponsor: #Takeda, visit bleedingdisorders.com to learn more.

Connect with BloodStream Media:

Find all of our bleeding disorders podcasts on

BloodStreamMedia.com

BloodStream on Facebook

BloodStream on Twitter

BloodStream on Instagram

BloodStream on TikTok

BloodStream on LinkedIn

Check out Believe Limited's Other Work:

Bombardier Blood: bombardierblood.com

My Beautiful Stutter: mybeautifulstutter.com/

Stop The Bleeding!: stbhemo.com

The Science Fair: thesciencefair.org

On the Shoulders of Giants: https://www.ontheshouldersfilm.com/

Recorded live in session at HFM's Conference for Women with Bleeding Disorders in Detroit, Michigan!

Flow is a monthly podcast dedicated to the bleeding disorders community - in October 2025, Flowsters Sarah and Jessica spent time in Michigan to collect powerful personal stories of both medical gaslighting and health advocacy. In this recorded-live episode participants discuss their experiences with extreme symptoms, the need for narrative medicine, and the recurring lack of testing for rare conditions.

Program Notes:

Episode Links:

• The New Menopause by Claire Harver https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-new-menopause-book

• Bloodstream Media: https://www.bloodstreammedia.com/

• HFM Conference for Women: https://hfmich.org/october-3-5-2025national-conference-for-women-with-hemophilia-and-rare-factor-deficiencies/

How's Your Flow?

• We wanna know (Calendly link): https://calendly.com/flowtalk/flow-talk-period-pain-stories

Presenting Sponsor: #Takeda, visit bleedingdisorders.com to learn more.

Connect with BloodStream Media:

Find all of our bleeding disorders podcasts on

BloodStreamMedia.com

BloodStream on Facebook

BloodStream on Twitter

BloodStream on Instagram

BloodStream on TikTok

BloodStream on LinkedIn

Check out Believe Limited's Other Work:

Bombardier Blood: bombardierblood.com

My Beautiful Stutter: mybeautifulstutter.com/

Stop The Bleeding!: stbhemo.com

The Science Fair: thesciencefair.org

On the Shoulders of Giants: https://www.ontheshouldersfilm.com/