The Red Zone

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Chloe Caldwell navigates the complexities of her menstrual cycle as she falls in love with Tony, a musician and single dad. In her thirties, she begins to notice how her anxiety and rage correlate with her hormonal changes. Driven to understand her experiences, Chloe explores societal attitudes toward menstruation, engages with online discussions about PMS, and cycles through various treatments, including antidepressants. Her journey leads her to a conference called Break the Cycle, where she learns about premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which helps her articulate her struggles. However, healing transcends finding a diagnosis; it involves introspection about her queer identity, writing persona, and the impact of her parents' divorce on her trust issues, as well as her role as a stepmother. This memoir is both humorous and intimate, resonating with anyone dealing with medical diagnoses and labels. Ultimately, it emphasizes that true relief comes from self-acceptance, self-compassion, and overcoming shame. It also delves into the challenges of love, revealing how it can expose vulnerabilities while fostering personal growth and transformation.