Irritability, sensitivity and mood swings are just some of the symptoms that accompany menstruating women. It is considered that they are normal and should not worry, female beauty is responsible for them. But are they really? What if monthly discomfort is a sign of menstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD?
Table of contents:
- PMDD - symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- PMS - symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- PMDD and suicide risk - what does research say?
- PMDD and postnatal depression - the mental health of the mother-to-be
- Lifestyle changes - therapy for PMDD
- Contraceptive medication - PMDD therapy
- Antidepressants - PMDD therapy
PMDD is a severe form of the well-known premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. It affects a woman's mental health and makes daily functioning difficult. It is rarely diagnosed because few women know that the symptoms they are experiencing are PMDD. What symptoms are involved?
PMDD - symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is referred to when there is an intense change in mood that occurs more than a week before menstruation and persists during menstruation. The symptoms are both psychological and somatic.
PMDD: what it is and its symptoms, photo: panthermedia
Mental symptoms of PMDD:
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Depression: feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, deep sadness, social withdrawal and lack of energy to carry out daily activities.
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Mood swings: irritability, outbursts of anger, crying.
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Anxiety: feeling deeply anxious and tense, reduced self-confidence.
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Concentration problems: forgetfulness, distraction, brain fog.
Physical symptoms of PMDD include headaches, muscle aches, severe breast pain, overeating and lethargy. So how does PMDD differ from PMS?
PMS - symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
Women experiencing PMS face similar symptoms to women with PMDD. During PMS you may also experience sadness, irritability, increased appetite and fatigue. However, these symptoms are less severe than those of PMDD and also last much shorter. PMS usually appears up to a week before menstruation and passes with the onset of menstruation. According to the scientific literature, unlike PMDD, PMS is not a disorder, even though it can make it difficult to function before menstruation.
PMS versus PMDD: differences, photo: panthermedia
PMDD is not widely known and rarely talked about, and, as is known from scientific studies, untreated it can lead to serious consequences.
PMDD and suicide risk - what does research say?
According to a 2019 study, 30% of women suffering from PMDD wanted to take their own lives. Other studies have shown that the distress faced by women with PMDD leads them to consider and plan suicide. The results show that the experiences of women with PMDD are comparable to those of other people with severe chronic illnesses. Furthermore, it appears that PMDD can affect the psychological wellbeing of mothers-to-be.
PMDD and postnatal depression - mental health of the mother-to-be
Although PMDD should end with the cessation of menstruation, i.e. during pregnancy or menopause, it turns out that this is not the case at all. According to research, women can experience symptoms of PMDD throughout pregnancy and also afterwards. The consequence of persistent PMDD is a high risk of developing postpartum depression.
PMDD is a disorder that carries serious consequences. It is therefore worth knowing how you can help yourself and make your life more comfortable. Several treatment options are currently recommended for menstrual dysphoric disorder.
PMDD: impact on women's psyche, photo: panthermedia
Lifestyle changes - PMDD therapy
Lifestyle change is the least invasive way to combat PMDD and can have many positive effects. The main focus here is on daily diet and physical activity.
Women with PMDD are advised to:
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limiting caffeine, salt, alcohol,
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giving up smoking,
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regular physical activity - yoga, Pilates, cardio, cycling,
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introduction of relaxation practice,
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psychotherapy.
While these changes may seem trivial, they calm the nervous system and support a person's mental health.
Contraceptive medication - PMDD therapy
Lifestyle changes play a big role in PMDD therapy, but there may be times when they do not have the desired effect. In such situations, doctors recommend hormone therapy, i.e. regular use of contraceptive medication.
PMDD: treatment options, photo: panthermedia
The inhibition of monthly ovulation can effectively weaken the unpleasant symptoms. In extreme cases, some women choose to implement a blockade of the entire menstrual cycle.
Antidepressants - treatment for PMDD
Contraceptive medication is not an option for every woman. When hormone therapy cannot be introduced and lifestyle changes do not work either, it is recommended to include pharmacotherapy with antidepressants from the SSRI or SNRI group. These are highly researched substances that support the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. They help to cope primarily with feelings of overpowering anxiety, tension, insomnia, feelings of hopelessness and deep sadness. They calm and detach in a way that does not impede daily functioning.
The best results can be achieved by combining pharmacotherapy with regular visits to a psychotherapist. Particularly recommended is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is characterised by working on emotional and cognitive states, i.e. thoughts and their interpretations.
The diagnosis of PMDD is difficult and its symptoms are often confused with other mental disorders. It is crucial to notice the regularity and the relationship with the menstrual cycle. PMDD can lead to serious mental disorders, postpartum depression and even suicide. It should therefore not be underestimated. Appropriate therapy can help to cope with this disorder.
