Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) refers to a group of physical and emotional symptoms that begin 1-2 weeks before your period. PMDD is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but the symptoms are more severe, especially in the emotional aspect. If you tend to experience PMS symptoms that are so severe that they can interfere with your daily activities, then you're probably feeling PMDD.
Here are some things you need to know about PMDD.
What are the symptoms of PMDD?
Usually, PMDD symptoms begin to appear 7-10 days before the period, although sometimes they appear earlier or later. Just like PMS, PMDD also has physical and emotional symptoms. However, you may be more likely to experience emotional symptoms than physical symptoms, or vice versa.
PMDD emotional symptoms include the following:
- There is a feeling of nervousness
- Anger.
- Cry often.
- Feeling out of control.
- It's easy to forget things
- Loss of interest and enthusiasm in activities and relationships.
- Easily irritated and irritable
- Changeable moods
- Having panic attacks
- Paranoid
- Feeling sad
- Thoughts of suicide
Depression is one of the symptoms of PMDD.
Meanwhile, the physical symptoms of PMDD include the following:
- Pimples appear
- Back pain
- Bone and joint pain
- Bloating
- Pain in the breast
- Digestive system problems include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
- Cramps
- Dizziness and headache
- Reduced sex drive
- Painful period
What causes PMDD?
Experts said that PMDD is a response to changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Throughout the menstrual cycle, the body will go through rising and falling levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This can impact serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in mood management.
What are the treatments for PMDD?
Until now, no drug can directly cure PMDD. However, there are several ways to control the symptoms that arise.
1. Lifestyle changes
Changing their habits a little for some people can go a long way toward improving PMDD symptoms. This includes:
- Exercise regularly.
- Always pay attention to stress levels and manage them as best you can.
- Limit consumption of sweet, high salt, caffeine-containing, and alcoholic foods and drinks.
- Eat mood-booster foods, such as foods with lean protein and complex carbohydrates, which increase tryptophan, a substance the body uses to produce serotonin.
2. Therapy
Seeing a therapist can help overcome the emotional challenges that come with PMDD. A specific type of therapy that can be very useful for PMDD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
3. Consumption of drugs
If some of the methods mentioned don't work, your doctor may recommend taking certain medications, for example:
- Antidepressants
- Certain hormonal medications, such as birth control pills, can help prevent PMDD symptoms from appearing.
Exercise can help improve mood.
In short, PMDD is an advanced version of PMS that is more severe and can interfere with daily activities. The condition is owned by about 10% of women of childbearing age. PMDD tends to heal by itself when a person has entered the menopause phase. The decision to take the drug must be based on the doctor's recommendations and directions.
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Source:
Watson, S. & Sullivan, D. (2019). Could Your Severe PMS be PMDD? [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/pmdd