What Is PMDD?

PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER, or PMDD, is a more serious form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). When you have PMDD, you get very angry, sad, or worried a week or two before your period. Most of the time, the symptoms go away two to three days after your period begins. You might need to take medicine or get some other kind of care to help with your symptoms.

In general, if you have PMDD, you are more sensitive to your reproductive hormones in the two weeks before you get your period. This sensitivity changes the chemicals and peripheral nervous system pathways in your brain that are in charge of your mood and a general sense of well-being.

Debilitating mood changes can accompany these premenstrual physical symptoms in roughly 5% to 8% of menstruation women. This is commonly referred to as severe PMS in the rest of the world, but in the United States, this combination of physical symptoms and emotional abnormalities is known as premenstrual dysphoria disorder or PMDD.

Women with PMDD are often given the wrong diagnosis, which is sad. Sometimes they don't get treated because doctors tell them it's just their hormones and they need to get over it. And they are sometimes given too many diagnoses. Women with PMDD are often mistakenly diagnosed as BIPOLAR DISORDER. Unfortunately, this could cause the patient to begin taking psychotic medication arbitrarily.

Making the proper diagnosis

There are no diagnostic procedures for PMDD. The kind and timing of the symptoms serve solely as the basis for the diagnosis.

In order to be diagnosed with PMDD, symptoms must appear just in the week or two prior to your period and must disappear just as fast after it begins. The nature of the symptoms is crucial. To be diagnosed with PMDD, you must specifically experience at least one of the following:

- feeling extremely agitated or angry

- feeling very down or depressed

- feeling very anxious, stressed, or tense

- avoiding your usual activities

Any one of the following symptoms (for a total of five) is required in addition to these four fundamental mood symptoms in order to confirm PMDD:

- difficulty concentrating

- feeling tired and very low energy level

- binge eating or having a really strong, specific food craving

- sleeping too much or having trouble falling asleep

- feeling overwhelmed or out of control

- unpleasant physical symptoms, especially breast tenderness, bloating, body aches, and weight gain

Your doctor can diagnose you with PMDD if:

· You have at least five of the symptoms listed above.

· They start 7-10 days before you get your period.

· They go away shortly after you start bleeding.

If any of these symptoms occur outside of the two weeks preceding your period, you do not have PMDD. Instead, you likely suffer from an underlying mood condition. Symptoms of other mood disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, might vary from day to day and are not predictable. Your symptoms will come at random throughout the whole month, not just in the two weeks preceding your period. However, you may have a rise in symptoms before your period. This is referred to as premenstrual aggravation. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis because the therapies for PMDD and other mood disorders are frequently significantly different.

PMDD Causes and Risk Factors

PMDD's actual cause remains unknown. It could be an unexpected response to the typical hormonal fluctuations that occur with each menstrual cycle. The hormonal fluctuations can result in a serotonin deficit. Serotonin is a naturally occurring molecule present in the brain and intestines that constricts blood vessels, affects mood, and causes physical symptoms.

Fortunately, interesting new discoveries are contributing to development. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) discovered that women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) have an altered gene complex that regulates the body's reaction to hormones and stress. This is a very significant study since it reveals a biological basis for PMDD-related mood disorders. This not only provides validation for women with PMDD, but it also has enormous ramifications for the development of new and improved treatment choices.

PMDD can affect any woman, however the following are at higher risk:

·Women having a personal or family history of depression, postpartum depression, or other mood disorders.

· Women with a personal or family history of PMS or PMDD.

· Other potential risk factors include a lower level of education and smoking cigarettes.

PMDD Treatment

PMDD is a significant, chronic disorder that must be treated. Several of the following treatments have the potential to alleviate or lessen the severity of PMDD symptoms:

- Changes in diet to increase protein and carbohydrates and decrease sugar, salt, caffeine, and alcohol

- Regular exercise

- Stress management

- Vitamin supplements (such as vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium)

- Anti-inflammatory medicines

- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)

- Birth control pills

The severity of symptoms grows over time for some women and lasts till menopause. As a result, a woman may require treatment for an extended period of time. The dosage of medications may vary throughout the course of treatment.

5 Things You Should Do if You Think You Have PMDD

1. Track your symptoms. This is vital for obtaining an accurate diagnosis. You should record your daily symptoms for at least two cycles, noting the days that you bleed. Consider utilizing a period tracker app, such as Clue, to capture this information.

2. Educate yourself. It is essential that you gain as much knowledge as possible regarding PMDD. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the medical community is undereducated about PMDD. You must be an advocate for your own health.

3. Reach out to peer support groups. Consider that you are not alone. It is essential to connect with those who suffer from PMDD. Hearing the stories and challenges of other women can help you cope with your own diagnosis. Check out PMDD Moms and PMDD Safehouse.

4. Start with lifestyle changes. Improving your general health and wellness is the initial step in controlling the symptoms of PMDD. Essential are a well-balanced diet, frequent exercise, and sufficient sleep. Consider incorporating a mind-body exercise such as yoga or meditation to aid in stress management.

5. Talk to your doctor. It is essential to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your physician. Consider recording your symptoms prior to your appointment. If you believe that your doctor is not taking your symptoms seriously, you should get a second opinion immediately. Do not surrender until you receive the assistance you deserve.

REFERENCES:

www.psycom.net/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd

www.webmd.com/women/pms/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder

www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd