What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?

„Of course i‘m allowed to feel different throughout my cycle. Sometimes i feel a thousand different ways in a single day, hour, minute. Does anyone feel the same i the height of summer and the dead of winter? Spring. Summer. Autumn. Winter. I‘m now starting to notice, i guess i‘m not crazy, i‘m just cyclical.“

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It causes a range of emotional and physical symptoms every month during the week or two before your period. PMDD occurs during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle.

During this time you may experience PMDD symptoms every day. Many women experience symptoms of PMS, but if you have PMDD, these symptoms are much worse and can have a severe impact in your life. Experiencing PMDD can make it difficult to work, socialise and have healthy relationships. In some cases, it can also lead to suicidal thoughts and strange behaviour.

What Are The Symptoms Of PMDD

Emotional Experiences:

• Mood swings
• Feeling upset or tearful/ sadness and crying
• Lack of energy
• Less interest in activities
• Feeling hopeless
• Suicidal thoughts
• Feeling angry or irritable
• Feeling anxious or nervous
• Feeling tense or on edge
• Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
• Difficulty concentrating

Physical And Behavioural Experiences:

• Breast tenderness or swelling
• Pain in your muscles and joints
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Bloating/ Gaseous
• Constipation/ Diarrhea
• Changes in your appetite, such as overeating/ strong food cravings
• Sleep problems
• Increased anger or irritability
• Painful menstruation
• Hot flashes
• Decreased coordination
• Muscle spasmHeart palpitations
• Easy bruising
• Dizziness
• Faintng
• Skin inflammation/ Acne
• Pelvic pressure
• Nausea/ Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Allergies
• Infections
• Fluid retension/ Period weight gain

What Are The Causes Of PMDD

The exact causes are still not fully understood but researchers believe that PMDD is caused by being very sensitive to changes in hormone levels. Other possible causes, as well as things that may make PMDD worse are genetics, smoking, trauma and stress

How Is PMDD Treated

• Changes in diet to increase protein and carbohydrates and decrease sugar, salt, caffeine and alcohol
• Regular exercise/ Yoga
• Vitamin supplements such as vitamin B6, calcium and magnesium
• St. John‘s Wort
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) also known as antidepressants: Start intake 10 to 14 days before your menstruation – continue this cycle each month. Side note: I start taking an antidepressant ten days before my actual menstruation and it helps me immensely! I stop the day of my period.
• Birth control pill: As much as i’m against hormonal birth control pills.. (because of health issues) they work. Years back i used to be on birth control pills and hardly had any PMDD symptoms.

„In man, the shedding of blood is always associated with injury, disease, or death. Only the female half of humanity was seen to have the magical ability to bleed profusely and still rise phoenix – like each month from the gore.“

Book Tip: THE PMDD PHENOMENON ISBN 978-1-62654-490-1