[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.95,0:00:12.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How many people here have heard of PMS?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.93,0:00:14.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everybody, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.55,0:00:17.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everyone knows that women\Ngo a little crazy
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.04,0:00:19.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,right before they get their period,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.47,0:00:23.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the menstrual cycle throws them\Nonto an inevitable hormonal roller coaster
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.91,0:00:26.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of irrationality and irritability.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.56,0:00:28.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's a general assumption
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.21,0:00:33.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that fluctuations in reproductive hormones\Ncause extreme emotions
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.00,0:00:36.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that the great majority of women\Nare affected by this.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.70,0:00:39.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, I am here to tell you\Nthat scientific evidence says
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.58,0:00:42.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,neither of those assumptions is true.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.02,0:00:45.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm here to give you\Nthe good news about PMS.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.87,0:00:49.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But first, let's take a look\Nat how firmly the idea of PMS
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.88,0:00:52.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is entrenched in American culture.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.03,0:00:55.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you examine newspaper\Nor magazine articles,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.51,0:00:59.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you'll see how widely assumed it is\Nthat everyone gets PMS.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.59,0:01:05.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In an article in the magazine Redbook\Ntitled "You: PMS Free,"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.18,0:01:10.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,readers were informed that between\N80 to 90 percent of women suffer from PMS.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.68,0:01:13.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,L.A. Muscle magazine warned its readers
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.66,0:01:17.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that 40 to 50 percent of women\Nsuffer from PMS,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.03,0:01:21.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that it plays a major role\Nin women's mental and physical health,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.01,0:01:24.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a couple of years ago,\Neven the Wall Street Journal
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.28,0:01:27.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ran an article on calcium\Nas a treatment for PMS,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.91,0:01:29.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,asking its female readers,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.45,0:01:32.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Do you turn into a witch every month?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.08,0:01:36.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From all these articles, you would think\Nthere must be a mountain of research
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.25,0:01:39.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,verifying the widespread nature of PMS.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.00,0:01:42.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, after five decades of research,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.86,0:01:47.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's no strong consensus\Non the definition, the cause,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.28,0:01:50.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the treatment,\Nor even the existence of PMS.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.44,0:01:54.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As most commonly defined by psychologists,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.32,0:01:59.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,PMS involves negative behavioral,\Ncognitive and physical symptoms
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.48,0:02:02.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from the time of ovulation\Nto menstruation.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.27,0:02:04.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here's where it gets tricky.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.22,0:02:10.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over 150 different symptoms\Nhave been used to diagnose PMS,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.00,0:02:12.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and here are just a few of those.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.07,0:02:14.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I want to be clear here.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.02,0:02:17.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm not saying women don't get\Nsome of these symptoms.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.25,0:02:20.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What I'm saying is that\Ngetting some of these symptoms
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.20,0:02:22.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doesn't amount to a mental disorder,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.75,0:02:26.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when psychologists\Ncome up with a disorder
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.14,0:02:28.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's so vaguely defined,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.65,0:02:31.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the label eventually becomes meaningless.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.58,0:02:34.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With a list of symptoms\Nthis long and wide,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.78,0:02:37.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I could have PMS, you could have PMS,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.55,0:02:40.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the guy in the third row here\Ncould have PMS,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.36,0:02:43.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my dog could have PMS.\N(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.82,0:02:46.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some researchers said\Nyou had to have five symptoms.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.44,0:02:47.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some said three.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.93,0:02:50.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Other researchers said that symptoms\Nwere only meaningful
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.87,0:02:52.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if they were highly disturbing to you,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.76,0:02:55.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but others said minor symptoms\Nwere just as important.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.96,0:02:59.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For many years, because\Nthere was no standardization
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.13,0:03:01.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the definition of PMS,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.06,0:03:04.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when psychologists tried\Nto report prevalence rates,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.52,0:03:07.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,their estimates ranged\Nfrom five percent of women
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.19,0:03:09.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to 97 percent of women,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.36,0:03:14.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so at the same time almost no one\Nand almost everyone had PMS.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.93,0:03:20.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Overall, the weaknesses in the methods\Nof research on PMS have been considerable.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.15,0:03:27.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, many studies asked women\Nto report their symptoms retrospectively,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.25,0:03:29.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,looking to the past and relying on memory,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.72,0:03:32.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is known to inflate reporting of PMS
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.97,0:03:36.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,compared to what's called\Nprospective reporting,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.32,0:03:39.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which involves keeping\Na daily log of symptoms
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.12,0:03:41.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for at least two months in a row.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.23,0:03:46.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many studies also exclusively focused\Non white, middle-class women,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.13,0:03:50.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which makes it problematic\Nto apply study findings to all women.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.76,0:03:54.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know there's a strong\Ncultural component to the belief in PMS
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.72,0:03:58.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it's nearly unheard of\Noutside of Western nations.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.79,0:04:02.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Third, many studies failed\Nto use control groups.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.33,0:04:05.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we want to understand\Nthe specific characteristics
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.68,0:04:07.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of women who have PMS,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.28,0:04:11.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we need to be able to compare them\Nto women who don't have PMS.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.34,0:04:14.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And finally, many different types\Nof questionnaires were used
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.90,0:04:18.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to diagnose PMS, focusing\Non different symptoms,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.03,0:04:20.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,symptom duration and severity.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.91,0:04:24.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To do reliable research on any condition,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.28,0:04:27.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,scientists must agree\Non the specific characteristics
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.62,0:04:28.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that make up that condition
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.96,0:04:31.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so they're all talking\Nabout the same thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.01,0:04:33.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and with PMS, this has not been the case.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.31,0:04:36.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, in 1994,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.44,0:04:40.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual\Nof Mental Disorders,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.44,0:04:42.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,known as the DSM, thankfully -
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.72,0:04:46.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's also the manual\Nfor mental health professionals -
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.35,0:04:50.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they redefined PMS as PMDD,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.47,0:04:53.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.74,0:04:58.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And dysphoria refers to\Na feeling of agitation or unease.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.02,0:05:02.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And according to these new DSM guidelines,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.98,0:05:06.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in most menstrual cycles in the last year,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.03,0:05:09.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at least five of 11 possible symptoms
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.58,0:05:12.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,must appear in the week\Nbefore menstruation starts;
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.38,0:05:16.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the symptoms must improve\Nonce menstruation has begun;
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.52,0:05:21.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the symptoms must be absent\Nthe week after menstruation has ended.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.12,0:05:25.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of these symptoms must come\Nfrom this list of four:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.47,0:05:31.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,marked mood swings, irritability,\Nanxiety, or depression.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.12,0:05:35.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The other symptoms could come\Nfrom the first slide
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.00,0:05:37.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or from those on the second slide,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.09,0:05:39.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including symptoms like\Nfeeling out of control
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.87,0:05:42.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and changes in sleep or appetite.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.85,0:05:47.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The DSM also required now\Nthat the symptoms
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.82,0:05:51.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,should be associated with\Nclinically significant distress -
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.100,0:05:54.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there should be some kind\Nof disturbance in work
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.83,0:05:57.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or school or social relationships -
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.27,0:06:01.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that symptoms and symptom severity\Nshould now be documented
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.26,0:06:04.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by keeping a daily log\Nfor at least two cycles in a row.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.79,0:06:09.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And finally, the DSM required\Nthat the emotional disturbance
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.13,0:06:14.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,should be more than simply an exacerbation\Nof an already existing disorder.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.89,0:06:17.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So scientifically speaking,\Nthis is an improvement.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.68,0:06:20.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We now have a limited number of symptoms,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.32,0:06:23.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a high impact on functioning\Nthat's required,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.90,0:06:28.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the reporting and timing of symptoms\Nhave both become very specific.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.35,0:06:32.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, using this criteria
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.16,0:06:34.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and looking at most recent studies,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.31,0:06:35.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we see that on average,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.92,0:06:40.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,three to eight percent of women\Nsuffer from PMDD.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.89,0:06:44.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not all women, not most women,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.10,0:06:46.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not the majority of women,\Nnot even a lot of women:
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.80,0:06:49.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,three to eight percent.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.70,0:06:54.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For everyone else, variables\Nlike stressful events or happy occasions
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.88,0:06:56.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or even day of the week
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.93,0:07:01.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are more powerful predictors of mood\Nthan time of the month,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.01,0:07:03.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this is the information\Nthe scientific community has had
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.78,0:07:05.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,since the 1990s.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.48,0:07:08.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 2002, my colleagues and I\Npublished an article
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.72,0:07:11.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,describing the PMS and PMDD research,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.86,0:07:15.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and several similar articles have appeared\Nin psychology journals.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.13,0:07:20.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The questions is, why hasn't this\Ninformation trickled down to the public?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.54,0:07:23.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why do these myths persist?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.28,0:07:27.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, certainly the onslaught\Nof messages that women receive
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.41,0:07:32.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from books, TV, movies, the Internet,\Nthat everyone gets PMS
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.12,0:07:35.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,go a long way in convincing them\Nit must be true.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.50,0:07:40.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Research tells us that the more\Na woman believes that everyone gets PMS,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.69,0:07:45.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the more likely she is\Nto erroneously report that she has it.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.27,0:07:47.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me tell you what I mean\Nby "erroneously."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.43,0:07:49.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might ask her, "Do you have PMS?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.87,0:07:51.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she says yes,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.41,0:07:53.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but then, when you have her\Nkeep a daily log
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.64,0:07:56.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of psychological symptoms for two months,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.17,0:07:59.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,no correlation is found\Nbetween her symptoms
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.18,0:08:01.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and time of the month.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.70,0:08:05.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Another reason for\Nthe persistence of the PMS myth
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.88,0:08:09.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has to do with the narrow boundaries\Nof the feminine role.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.72,0:08:12.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Feminist psychologists like Joan Chrisler
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.49,0:08:15.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have suggested that\Ntaking on the label of PMS
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.70,0:08:21.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,allows women to express emotions that\Nwould otherwise be considered unladylike.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.55,0:08:24.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The near universal definition\Nof a good woman
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.63,0:08:28.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is one who is happy, loving,\Ncaring for others,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.50,0:08:31.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and taking great satisfaction\Nfrom that role.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.29,0:08:36.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, PMS has become a permission slip\Nto be angry, complain, be irritated,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.85,0:08:40.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without losing the title of good woman.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.21,0:08:43.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that the variables\Nin a woman's environment
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.64,0:08:47.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are much more likely to cause her\Nto be angry than her hormones,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.28,0:08:50.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but when she attributes anger to hormones,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.23,0:08:53.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she's absolved\Nof responsibility or criticism.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.05,0:08:56.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Oh, that's not who she is.\NIt's out of her control."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.24,0:09:02.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And while this can be a useful tool,\Nit serves to invalidate women's emotions.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.25,0:09:05.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When people respond to a woman's anger
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.81,0:09:08.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the thought, "Oh, it's just\Nthat time of the month,"
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.78,0:09:14.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,her ability to be taken seriously\Nor effect change is severely limited.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:14.48,0:09:18.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So who else benefits from the myth of PMS?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.25,0:09:20.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, I can tell you that treating PMS
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.36,0:09:23.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has become a profitable,\Nthriving industry.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.42,0:09:30.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Amazon.com currently offers\Nover 1,900 books on PMS treatment.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.40,0:09:34.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A quick Google search\Nwill bring up a cornucopia
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.23,0:09:37.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of clinics, workshops and seminars.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.97,0:09:40.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Reputable Internet sources\Nof medical information
Dialogue: 0,0:09:40.50,0:09:45.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like WebMD or the Mayo Clinic\Nlist PMS as a known disorder.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.43,0:09:47.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not a known disorder,\Nbut they list it.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.71,0:09:51.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they also list the medications that\Nphysicians have prescribed to treat it,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.83,0:09:54.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like anti-depressants or hormones.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.49,0:09:59.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Interestingly, though, both websites\Nsay that the success of medication
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.92,0:10:03.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in treating PMS symptoms\Nvary from woman to woman.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.43,0:10:06.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, that doesn't make sense.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.17,0:10:08.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you've got a distinct disorder\Nwith a distinct cause,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.92,0:10:10.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which PMS is supposed to be,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.89,0:10:14.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then the treatment should bring\Nimprovement for a great number of women.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.75,0:10:17.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This has not been the case\Nwith these treatments,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.26,0:10:21.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and FDA regulations say that\Nfor a drug to be deemed effective,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.23,0:10:23.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a large portion of the target population
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.46,0:10:26.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,should see clinically\Nsignificant improvement.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.52,0:10:30.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we have not had that at all\Nwith these so-called treatments.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.61,0:10:35.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, the financial gain\Nof perpetuating the myth
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.20,0:10:37.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that PMS is a common mental disorder
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.92,0:10:40.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and is treatable is quite substantial.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:41.68,0:10:45.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When women are prescribed\Ndrugs like anti-depressants or hormones,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.38,0:10:50.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,medical protocol requires that they have\Nphysician follow-up every three months.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.46,0:10:52.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's a lot of doctor visits.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.36,0:10:55.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Pharmaceutical companies\Nreap untold profits
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.11,0:10:59.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when women are convinced\Nthey should take a prescribed medication
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.24,0:11:02.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for all of their child-bearing lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.14,0:11:04.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over-the-counter drugs like Midol
Dialogue: 0,0:11:04.76,0:11:09.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even claim to treat PMS symptoms\Nlike tension and irritability,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.18,0:11:13.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even though they only contain\Na diarrhetic, a pain reliever
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.17,0:11:14.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and caffeine.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:14.51,0:11:18.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, far be it from me to argue\Nwith the magical powers of caffeine,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.17,0:11:21.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I don't think reducing tension\Nis one of them.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.44,0:11:27.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since 2002, Midol has marketed\Na Teen Midol to adolescents.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.65,0:11:31.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They are aiming at young girls early,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.45,0:11:36.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to convince them that everyone gets PMS\Nand that it will make you a monster,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.18,0:11:38.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but wait, there's something\Nyou can do about it:
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.44,0:11:41.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Take Midol and you will be\Na human being again.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.44,0:11:47.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 2013, Midol took in 48 million dollars\Nin sales revenue.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.02,0:11:52.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So while perpetuating the myth of PMS\Nhas been lucrative for some,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.51,0:11:56.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it comes with some serious\Nadverse consequences for women.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.25,0:11:59.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, it contributes\Nto the medicalization
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.87,0:12:02.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of women's reproductive health.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.32,0:12:05.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The medical field has a long history\Nof conceptualizing
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.75,0:12:10.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,women's reproductive processes\Nas illnesses that require treatment,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.77,0:12:14.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this has come at many costs,\Nincluding excessive Cesarean deliveries,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:14.92,0:12:17.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hysterectomies and prescribed\Nhormone treatments
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.98,0:12:21.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that have harmed rather than enhanced\Nwomen's health.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.68,0:12:27.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Second, the PMS myth also contributes\Nto the stereotype of women
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.50,0:12:30.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as irrational and overemotional.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.70,0:12:34.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When the menstrual cycle is described\Nas a hormonal roller coaster
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.61,0:12:36.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that turns women into angry beasts,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.86,0:12:41.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it becomes easy to question\Nthe competence of all women.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.27,0:12:44.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Women have made tremendous strides\Nin the workforce,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.28,0:12:48.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but still there's a minuscule number\Nof women at the highest echelons
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.28,0:12:50.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of fields like government or business,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.99,0:12:55.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when we think about\Nwho makes for a good CEO or senator,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.90,0:13:01.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,someone who has qualities like rationality,\Nsteadiness, competence
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.46,0:13:02.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,come to mind,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.97,0:13:06.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in our culture, that sounds more\Nlike a man than a woman,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.51,0:13:09.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the PMS myth contributes to that.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:09.78,0:13:13.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Psychologists know that\Nthe moods of men and women
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.34,0:13:15.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are more similar than different.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.73,0:13:19.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One study followed men and women\Nfor four to six months
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.57,0:13:22.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and found that the number\Nof mood swings they experienced
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.98,0:13:26.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the severity of those mood swings\Nwere no different.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.15,0:13:31.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And finally, the PMS myth\Nkeeps women from dealing
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.12,0:13:35.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the actual issues\Ncausing them emotional upset.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.00,0:13:39.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Individual issues like\Nquality of relationship or work conditions
Dialogue: 0,0:13:39.10,0:13:43.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or societal issues like racism or sexism\Nor the daily grind of poverty
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.95,0:13:46.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are all strongly related to daily mood.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.36,0:13:50.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sweeping emotions under the rug of PMS
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.14,0:13:55.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,keeps women from understanding\Nthe source of their negative emotions,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:55.15,0:13:59.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it also takes away the opportunity\Nto take any action to change them.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.94,0:14:02.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the good news about PMS
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.15,0:14:07.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that while some women get some symptoms\Nbecause of the menstrual cycle,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:07.83,0:14:11.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the great majority don't get\Na mental disorder.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.29,0:14:14.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They go to work or school,\Ntake care of their families,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:14.69,0:14:16.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and function at a normal level.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.91,0:14:20.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know the emotions and moods\Nof men and women
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.51,0:14:22.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are more similar than different,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.46,0:14:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so let's walk away from\Nthe tired old PMS myth of women as witches
Dialogue: 0,0:14:27.48,0:14:32.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and embrace the reality of high emotional\Nand professional functioning
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.29,0:14:35.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the great majority of women\Nlive every day.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:35.87,0:14:37.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:37.16,0:14:39.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)