May is Mental Health Awareness Month and National Women’s Health Month.
Mood swings. Flatulence. Breast tenderness. The terrible trilogy can only mean one thing: winter – sorry, your period – is coming.
About three out of four women who menstruate experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) up to two weeks before their period actually begins. (Side note: If you do the math, that means women get about seven days a month free from PMS or Aunt Flo. Just a reminder that women are awesome.)
PMS is common, but for some women the emotional and physical symptoms are so extreme that they seriously impair functioning. This severe form of PMS is actually a mood disorder called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Read: 7 PMS tips from the pros >>
What is PMDD?
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a chronic condition that causes intense emotional and physical symptoms that begin one to two weeks before your period and end a few days after your cycle begins.
PMDD symptoms
The physical and emotional symptoms of PMDD are extreme – so severe that they interfere with functioning at home, at work, and in personal relationships.
PMDD symptoms can include:
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness
- Fear
- Mood swings
- Self-critical thoughts and/or increased sensitivity
- Increased irritability or anger
- Increasing conflicts with family, colleagues or friends
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
- Concentration problems
- fatigue
- Changes in eating behavior (binge eating, overeating, or cravings for certain foods)
- Sleep problems or too much sleep
- Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Weight gain
- Flatulence
What causes PMDD?
Research is still ongoing into what causes PMDD, but it may have something to do with the drop in hormone levels after ovulation.
Serotonin — a natural brain chemical that regulates mood — may also play a role. Serotonin levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and some people may be more sensitive to the changes.
PMDD vs PMS
PMDD is like PMS on steroids. Here’s the difference: PMS symptoms are typically mild to moderate and usually don’t stop you from doing everyday activities. PMDD causes severe mental and physical changes that affect your everyday life and the way you interact with others.
PMDD is a condition that should be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare provider.
Risk factors for PMDD
PMDD affects about 5 out of 100 menstruating people.
You may be at risk of PMDD if you:
- There are cases of PMS or PMDD in your family
- You have a personal or family history of mood disorders, depression, or postpartum depression
How do you get a PMDD diagnosis?
PMDD is defined by the occurrence of five or more symptoms, including one related to mood.
In addition to reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam, a healthcare provider will typically ask you to record your symptoms in a diary for a period of time before making a diagnosis.
PMDD treatments
There are various medications and lifestyle changes that can help relieve the wide range of symptoms associated with PMDD.
PMDD treatments may include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers
- Stress management and relaxation techniques
Reducing sugar, salt, caffeine, and alcohol can also help relieve some PMDD symptoms.
Read: Why hormonal contraception is so important for women’s health care >>
PMDD is a chronic illness
For many people with PMDD, symptoms worsen over time and persist until menopause. Therefore, it is important to speak to your HCP if you think you may be suffering from PMDD. There are treatment options that can help.
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