FROM the outside, Helen Flanagan's life looks like a perfect mixture of glitz, glamour and wholesome family moments, but behind the glossy Instagram snaps, the actress has been hiding a secret pain.
The 35-year-old lives with a debilitating health disorder that leaves her bedbound. Here, she tells The Sun how she finally found peace taking a golden pill, known as 'female Viagra'.
Helen rose to fame when she was just nine years old, playing Rosie Webster on Coronation Street before leaving the soap for good in 2012.
But throughout her childhood, her behaviour rang alarm bells with both herself and her concerned parents. And by the age of 16, she was diagnosed with ADHD.
Despite managing her ADHD symptoms, the soap star still suffered with drastic mood swings, which left her fearing that she could have another underlying mental health condition.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, she says: "I think my parents maybe thought that because I struggled with my mood so much, that I was bipolar."
I can be very irritable, angry, overly emotional, and anxious so it can be extremely, extremely challenging."
After years of unease, Helen was finally diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which she says "rules and ruins" her life.
The condition is related to changes in hormone levels during a woman's menstrual cycle and causes extreme mood swings, depression and anxiety.
In severe cases, women can be left feeling suicidal and unable function day to day and it can take years to be diagnosed.
Former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison fought for over five years to get to the bottom of what was going on and says she was repeatedly dismissed by doctors.
And it was similar for Helen – even after her PMDD diagnosis, her battle was only just beginning as she struggled to find any help that could put an end to her recurring monthly hormone hell.
In a searingly honest chat, Helen explains the depth of her difficulties, telling us: "It's something that really rules my life. To be quite honest with you, I really struggle with my PMDD. I can get severe depression, and it can really take over my life.
"I really do struggle with my mental health massively, and it's quite debilitating."
In fact Helen is so worried she might lash out at those around her that she warns people when her mood is likely to dip.
She admits she becomes "snappy" and "cries all the time".
'I struggle with relationships'
THE star is currently single after her split from Robbie Talbot,LINK who she dated after her long-term relationship with Scott Sinclair came to an end.
Helen and footballer Scott share three children: Matilda, 10, Delilah, seven, and Charlie, four.
She says: "Everybody that is close to me is very aware of my PMDD, I don't think I've ever had a relationship with a man, or even when I've dated someone, that they don't know about my cycle, because it massively changes everything.
"I could be really happy and great and positive, and then suddenly I'm really quite depressed.
It hugely affects my life, my mood, and my ability to do anything.
"Especially in relationships, I could be very irritable, could get angry, overly emotional and anxious so it can be extremely, extremely challenging.
She adds: "I think I struggle with relationships as well. I don't want a boyfriend at the moment, but I do think PMDD can make it very difficult to be with someone because men don't really usually understand how you're feeling."
PMDD is still vastly undiagnosed and untreated – and Helen, like many sufferers, was told that a hysterectomy is the only real solution.
The suggestion shocked her – "it just feels so drastic", but at times she felt like she had no choice.
"I don't feel in my heart that that would be a good decision for me to have a hysterectomy," she says.
"I feel like I'm too young, and I think the procedure would be too traumatic for me to have right now, but it is something that has crossed my mind.
"My PMDD massively, hugely affects my life, my mood, and my ability to do anything.
"But I just don't want to do it. I've got three children and you never know. I don't want to take that away from myself".
A surprising solution
HELEN decided to take things into her own hands, which is when she discovered the 'golden pill'.
Dubbed the 'female Viagra', Helen wasn't sure at first how the supplement made by Elle Sera, which costs just £1.66 a day, would be able to help.
The product is known claims to boost your libido, which Helen says she 'definitely doesn't need'.
But she soon realised the impact it would have on her, helping to stabilise her hormones, and it wasn't long until it changed her life for the better.
Dr Jen Graham (Revitamed) explains: "PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) can greatly affect quality of life, yet treatment choices are limited. As GPs, we mainly use antidepressants or the contraceptive pill. These help many, but not all.
"The golden pill stabilises hormone fluctuations that can make symptoms easier to manage, offering better support for some patients."
The Golden Pill uses five plant-based, adaptogenic, and phytoestrogenic ingredients to support and balance healthy female hormones, which in turn helps improve mood, energy, libido, and reduce symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
Helen tells us: "I've always had a good sex drive. But I think it's just made me feel stronger, more level, more balanced out. I haven't felt the dramatic lows before my period.
"My PMDD can be so extreme, so it really does depend on what's going on in my life as well."
The pill has had such a positive impact on her that when she forgot to take it this month – the difference was extremely noticeable and alarming, she says.
The mum-of-three was left bed-bound for two days – riddled with anxiety and dark thoughts as she struggled with a difficult situation in her personal life.
She says: "In September, I had it terribly, I actually went to bed for two days, and I never actually do that.
"I had lots going on in my life that I can't talk about, because obviously life is very, very stressful for all of us, we've all got different stresses going on, but how I deal with stress and life's challenges is just crazy."
What is PMDD?
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe and chronic medical condition that affects a small percent of people who menstruate.
It is a more intense form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and is characterised by a range of emotional, mental, and physical symptoms that can significantly disrupt daily life. Unlike PMS, which might cause mild discomfort or irritability, PMDD symptoms can be debilitating and often require medical attention.
The exact cause of PMDD is not fully understood, but it is believed to be linked to hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, particularly fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone. These hormonal shifts can affect neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, which plays a critical role in mood regulation. Genetic factors may also contribute to the development of PMDD, as the disorder tends to run in families.
Symptoms of PMDD typically appear in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which is the time between ovulation and the start of menstruation. Common symptoms include severe mood swings, depression, irritability, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness. Physical symptoms can also manifest, such as fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness, and headaches. These symptoms usually subside once menstruation begins, providing temporary relief until the next cycle.
Treatment for PMDD often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy. Lifestyle adjustments, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep, can help manage symptoms. Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and hormonal treatments may also be prescribed to alleviate the disorder's impact. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be beneficial in addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of PMDD, offering coping strategies and support.
Helen also learnt to understand her cycle inside and out, which she says helps her "put some logic to it".
She gets "instant relief as soon as a few drops of blood hit the tissue", allowing her to return to her usual "happy and positive" state of mind.
And she now has coping mechanisms in place for tough times, explaining: "Say something's really heavy for me, or really challenging – I will put off dealing with it until I'm in a better place with my mental health."
While her lows aren't permanently over, Helen constantly reminds herself of a key phrase during difficult periods: "This will pass."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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