DrSugar is in the house, and she's answering your health-related questions. Dear Doc Sugar, Is PMDD for real? It seems like a way to use PMS as an excuse for almost everything. But if it is real, I think I might have it. I know self-diagnosis is probably not the way to go, but could you tell me what I should be looking for and what I should ask my doctor? — Feeling Bluesy and Woozy What a Read more

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's answering questions about going off of birth control. OK, FitSugar readers, we’ve recently received lots and lots of messages asking about what happens when you stop birth control pills, with questions regarding acne, abdominal cramps, weight gain, and lack of menstruation in the months following discontinuation. Since the topic is so popular, I thought Read more

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's answering a question about going off of birth control. Dear DocSugar, I have been taking birth control pills for 10 years and things have shifted in my personal life and I no longer need to worry about getting pregnant. I want to go off this pill, but am worried what will happen to my body and my cycle. Can you tell me what I should expect when I stop Read more

Three years ago I was diagnosed with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) — it's sort of like PMS on overdrive, except way worse. Before the diagnosis I was embarrassed at how unstable I felt as my period approached, especially when all of my girlfriends seemed to be handling their PMS symptoms in a manageable way. My menstrual cycles were always preceded by feelings of severe depression, Read more