Case Studies: How Naturopathy and Rapid Core Healing Transformed PMDD

Living with PMDD can feel like navigating a storm every month—emotions spinning out of control, fatigue that seems impossible to shake, and physical symptoms that disrupt daily life. I know this firsthand. Before becoming a practitioner, I struggled with PMDD myself, and I understand the exhaustion, frustration, and fear of “breaking” in front of your loved ones. That experience now informs every consultation I give, as I help women globally reclaim their cycles and their lives through a combination of naturopathy, herbal medicine, and trauma-informed emotional healing.

Here at PMDD Naturopath, we take a root-cause approach, looking beyond symptom management to address the interplay of nutrition, hormonal balance, nervous system regulation, and unresolved emotional trauma. I often see women who have tried conventional approaches—antidepressants, hormonal pills, or over-the-counter remedies—without lasting relief. While these methods can help temporarily, they rarely touch the underlying factors driving PMDD.

I’d like to share a few anonymised client stories to illustrate how a combination of naturopathy, Rapid Core Healing, and Family Constellations has transformed women’s experiences of PMDD.

Case Study 1: Nourishing the Body to Stabilise the Cycle

“Emma” (name changed) came to me after years of severe premenstrual irritability, crippling fatigue, and anxiety. She had tried SSRIs and hormonal contraception but felt trapped by side effects and limited symptom relief. In our sessions, we explored her nutrition first. I found that her diet lacked key nutrients that support neurotransmitter and hormonal balance, such as magnesium, zinc, vitamin B6, and essential fatty acids.

Through a personalised plant-based plan, tailored herbal medicine—like Vitex agnus-castus for luteal phase support and Saffron for mood regulation—and targeted supplementation, Emma began noticing shifts within two cycles. Fatigue reduced, mood swings softened, and she regained a sense of agency over her body.

But the real breakthrough came when we addressed unresolved emotional patterns. Using Rapid Core Healing, Emma processed early-life experiences that were unconsciously amplifying her hormonal sensitivity. Combining nutrition with trauma-informed work allowed her cycle to feel not just manageable but stabilised at the root level.

Case Study 2: Family Constellations and Emotional Patterns

Another client, “Sophie,” presented with PMDD that was manifesting as intense rage and anxiety premenstrually. Her GP had recommended antidepressants, which she did not want to take long-term. During our sessions, we explored not only dietary patterns but also her family and relational dynamics, which were contributing to heightened stress responses.

Through Family Constellations, Sophie uncovered intergenerational patterns of suppressed anger and emotional responsibility. Recognising these influences allowed her to externalise guilt and self-blame, and through Rapid Core Healing, she could integrate these insights at a deep nervous system level. Supplementation with myo-inositol, zinc, and B6 supported her mood regulation alongside herbal allies like Vitex.

Within a few months, Sophie reported that the intensity of her premenstrual emotional swings had reduced by more than half. She described feeling “lighter” and more resilient, no longer dictated solely by hormonal shifts.

Why Root-Cause Approaches Work

These stories illustrate a principle I see repeatedly in clinical practice: PMDD is rarely caused by a single factor. It’s a complex interplay of nutritional deficiencies, hormonal dysregulation, nervous system sensitivity, and unresolved emotional trauma. Symptom-focused approaches may provide temporary relief, but addressing these underlying layers is what creates long-term transformation.

Many clients initially hesitate, thinking they must choose between natural healing and medical treatment. What I emphasise is that true recovery often integrates whole-body care—optimising nutrition, supporting the nervous system, using evidence-based herbal medicine, and resolving emotional patterns. For women with PMDD, this integrated approach doesn’t just manage symptoms; it restores confidence, self-trust, and a sense of wholeness.

Small Changes, Big Impact

I often remind clients that even subtle adjustments—like adding zinc-rich seeds to your diet, incorporating gentle nervous system practices, or exploring early emotional patterns—can compound into significant improvements over time. For many, this is a radical shift from the cycle of “waiting for the period to pass” to actively participating in their own healing journey.

If you’re struggling with PMDD, know that you don’t have to navigate it alone or rely solely on symptom management. An integrative, trauma-informed approach can help you reclaim stability, reduce suffering, and experience your cycle with more ease and clarity.

Camilla Brinkworth is a professional naturopath, trauma-informed emotional healing practitioner, and Family Constellations facilitator with lived experience of PMDD. Through PMDD Naturopath and Camilla Clare Holistic Health, she supports women worldwide in overcoming PMDD using nutrition, herbal medicine, and nervous system-based healing.