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Case Studies
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Historically, our culture has also at-
tached a
stigma
to menstruation and
PMS. This meant that for years women
didn’t talk about their monthly diffi-
culties. They didn’t admit them even
to themselves, and whatever problems they experienced became
sources of guilt and shame.
Today, however, that is changing. Researchers are taking PMS
very seriously—and they are finding that medication can help
women live their lives more productively all month long. Because
of drugs like Prozac and Zoloft, women like Emily, Lois, and Kendra
have found new hope.
stigma
: A mark
of shame or discredit.