Many women have symptoms such as mood swings or irritability, or experience physical discomfort before menstruation. Most women know about PMS, but many has rigorous symptoms that affect their routine activities in their everyday lives.
"Is it that I am experiencing something far worst than that?"
Possibly Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
PMDD is much worse than PMS and occurs in around 5% of all women of childbearing age. What is PMDD, what causes it, how do you know if you have it, and what can you do about it In this blog, we will cover all these issues.
What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?
PMDD is a severe mood disorder that happens in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, that is the period from the ovulation to menstruation. PMDD is more severe than PMS in terms of producing severe emotional as well as physical symptoms. Such symptoms can get worst to the extent of affecting activities, relationship as well as emotional well being.
While PMDD and PMS have some similar symptoms, participator and psychosocial symptoms of the former are much severer.
What Causes PMDD?
Although, the reason for PMDD has not been established, it is believed to be linked with hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle, estrogen, and progesterone and other related chemicals. These hormonal changes influence serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the brain that is responsible for controlling mood and emotions.
Other factors may contribute to PMDD, including:
❖ Genetics: PMDD appears to run in families, especially where there is a history of mood disorders, including depression and anxiety.
❖ Serotonin Dysregulation: Certain women could be sensitive to modifications in serotonin a substance in the nervous system with a responsibility of moderating emotions and behaviors.
❖ Lifestyle Factors: This three mensopausal phase disorder is influenced by stress, poor diet, lack of exercise and insufficient sleep.
Common Symptoms of PMDD
PMDD is similar to PMS but the symptoms are more frequent, severe and affect a woman’s ability to function. These symptoms occur during the luteal phase of the cycle and subside as soon as the menses arrive. The symptoms PMDD may be mild, moderate or severe, but it typically involves a combination of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms.
Here are some of the most common symptoms:
Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms:
❖ Severe Mood Swings: Sudden onset of either crying spells or unexplained hopelessness.
Irritability or Anger: Having a feeling of frustration or anger that results to causing tension in interpersonal matters.
❖ Anxiety or Tension: Severeness; situations such as becoming easily overstimulated or extremely stressed.
❖ Depression: A low, unhappy or morose disposition as a result of chemical imbalance in the brain.
❖ Difficulty Concentrating: Difficulty concentrating on work, for example, forgetting things and generally feeling ‘spaced out’.
❖ Emotional Sensitivity: Perceiving oneself as easily offended, criticised, rejected or disliked.
❖ Fatigue: Fatigue which cannot be relieved by sleep or rest.
Physical Symptoms:
❖ Bloating and Weight Gain: Swellings or oedemas particularly of facials and particularly abdominal regions of the body probably due to water retention.
❖ Breast Tenderness: Swollen or painful breasts.
❖ Headaches or Migraines: Headaches that are severe and are always experienced when menstration is approaching.
❖ Joint or Muscle Pain: Muscular and joint map achiness common to normal aging.
❖ Sleep Disturbances: Sleeplessness or excessive sleep during wake hours such as in the daytime.
❖ Changes in Appetite: Higher food intake, number of lunches, dinners; or vice versa, complete loss of appetite.
Diagnosis of PMDD
To diagnose PMDD one has to include monitoring of these symptoms for at least two cycles to ensure that the symptoms fit the required timing and severity. Maintaining a symptoms diary or even having an application can assist in documenting the emotions as well as the physical changes over a menstrual cycle.
A healthcare provider may also take the time to review the patient’s medical history or even a blood test to help dismiss other disorders that may cause similar symptoms to those of PMDD, including thyroid conditions or depression and anxiety disorders.
Treatment and Management of PMDD
‘’There is no cure for PMDD, but treatments for the symptoms may include, changes in diet and lifestyle, antidepressants and counseling’’. Here are some of the most common approaches:
1. Lifestyle Modifications
❖ Exercise Regularly: Endurance exercises can relieve women of PMDD symptoms due to an enhanced mood as a result of exercising.
❖ Healthy Diet: Avoiding hormone disruptive substances such as caffeine, sugar and alcohol, and having proper eating habits including whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables are some of the ways to improve hormonal balance and reduce bloating effects.
❖ Stress Management: The use of yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can reduce stress levels generally known to worsen PMDD symptoms.
❖ Sleep Hygiene: It is worth saying that sleep is a natural rejuvenation for the body and is also connected with a person’s stability of emotions and decreased drowsiness.
2. Medications
❖ Antidepressants (SSRIs): SSRIs are taken to manage mood and symptoms of anxiety and depression linked to PMDD. In extreme cases some women may use these drugs mostly during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
❖ Hormonal Treatments: Enzyme contraception or other hormonal medicines can regulate hormonal changes and may get rid of PMDD symptoms. Nevertheless, the efficacy of such treatment may be different in every case.
❖ Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Non-prescription drugs for the control of inflammation such as pain relievers include ibuprofen which can be used in the treatment for headaches, muscle pain, and breast pain.
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals manage their emotions and change negative thought patterns. It’s been shown to be effective in helping women cope with the emotional symptoms of PMDD.
4. Supplements
Even for nutritional supplements some women can get relief although the existing studies on the efficacy of these supplements are inconclusive. Common supplements used for PMDD include:
❖ Calcium: The intake of calcium supplements have been known to help lower the mood swings and the bloating which is associated with some women who have PMDD.
❖ Magnesium: This can cure anxiety, water retention and even muscle cramps if taken a long time ago at night.
❖ Vitamin B6: It might help with mood related symptoms such as depression and irritability.
Coping with PMDD: Support Systems Matter
Governing PMDD is not just a physical matter but a mental and social one at that. Sharing difficult experiences of living with PMDD with friends, family and a counselor offers comfort and helps one to think clearly. Support groups, whether in-person or online, can offer a space to connect with others who are experiencing similar struggles.
Conclusion: Taking Control of PMDD
Sometimes, living with PMDD might feel like an impossibility but trust me it’s possible, you can take back your life. It can make a big difference if you know your body, monitor your signs, and consult professionals. In a case you might be having PMDD symptoms, seek the services of a doctor to get a treatment plan that best suits you.
PMDD gives you a feeling of hopelessness, but you do not have to let it dominate your existence, you can still deal with it effectively.