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  That's really sad, and makes a lot of sense. Really is nothing worse than when you're going through something and people don't believe you. As a person with depression myself, it wasn't until I was properly diagnosed by a medical doctor and physiatrist that people actually took me seriously, and even still I'll get an eye roll or disagreement from people, as if I'm claming the moon is made of cheese.
  I think a big problem is lack of education. I went to a boys secondary school (high school) and my sister went to a girls school, the sex education we had was very different. We barely learnt anything about the female side of puberty and sexual health.
context: I think the main thing holding me back, and perhaps other women, from explaining the source of menstrual-based pain and irritability is not being believed by others. I think a lot of people simply see it as blood coming from the vagina and that's it, but it's an entire hormonal process that can be very extreme. My depression during my period takes me to very dark places. I've known women who have fainted from the pain. It's very real, but a lot of times growing up I've gotten the sense from friends and teachers that having a period isn't a "real" enough excuse to be miserable, so I figured, what's the point of even bringing it up. At least now I've got a caring bf who's understanding, but I still keep a lot of it to myself because I don't want to seem complaining. I guess it's all in upbringing!