May is Mental Health Awareness Month and National Women’s Health Month.
Mood swings. Bloating. Breast tenderness. The terrible trilogy can only mean one thing: Winter — sorry, your period — is coming.
About 3 out of 4 people who menstruate experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) up to two weeks before their period actually starts. (Sidenote: If the math is mathing, that means women have around seven days a month that are PMS or Aunt Flo free. Just a reminder that women are amazing.)
PMS is common, but for some women, the emotional and physical symptoms are so extreme they seriously impact the ability to function. This severe version 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 start one to two weeks before your period and end a few days into your cycle.
PMDD symptoms
The physical and emotional symptoms of PMDD are extreme — so severe that they affect the ability to function at home, work and in personal relationships.
PMDD symptoms can include:
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness or worthlessness
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Self-critical thoughts and/or increased sensitivity
- Increased irritability or anger
- Increased conflicts with family, coworkers or friends
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
- Problems concentrating
- Fatigue
- Changes in eating patterns (binging, overeating or craving certain foods)
- Problems sleeping or sleeping too much
- Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Weight gain
- Bloating
What causes PMDD?
Research is ongoing as to what causes PMDD, but it may have something to do with the drop in hormone levels that happen 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 don’t usually stop you from doing everyday activities. PMDD causes intense mental and physical changes that impact your everyday life and the way you interact with others.
PMDD is a medical condition that should be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare provider.
Risk factors for PMDD
PMDD affects about 5 out of 100 people who menstruate.
You may be at risk for PMDD if you:
- Have a family history of PMS or PMDD
- Have a personal or family history of mood disorders, depression or postpartum depression
- Smoke
How do you get a diagnosis of PMDD?
PMDD is defined by having five or more symptoms, including one that’s mood-related.
In addition to going over your health history and a physical exam, a healthcare provider (HCP) will usually ask you to track your symptoms in a journal or diary for a period of time before making a diagnosis.
PMDD treatments
There are several medications and lifestyle changes that can help manage the wide range of symptoms associated with PMDD.
PMDD treatments can include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
- Stress management and relaxation techniques
- Exercise
Cutting down on sugar, salt, caffeine and alcohol may also help decrease some symptoms of PMDD.
Read: Why Hormonal Birth Control Is So Important to Women’s Healthcare >>
PMDD is a chronic condition
For many people with PMDD, symptoms get worse over time and last until menopause. So, it’s important to talk to your HCP if you think you may have PMDD. There are treatment options that can help.
