Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
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Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) can affect your physical and mental health in the days or weeks before your period.
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What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
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If you have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), your period will have a big effect on your physical and mental wellbeing. The symptoms can be really distressing. You might have heard of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and its symptoms. PMDD is like a very severe type of PMS.
We don’t know exactly what causes PMDD — but we believe it has something to do with being very sensitive to the changing levels of hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and serotonin during your period.
PMDD is a hormone-related disorder. It is often defined as an endocrine disorder, and as a mood disorder. People with PMDD experience a range of different physical and mental health symptoms.
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What are the symptoms of PMDD?
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PMDD can affect you in lots of different ways — everybody has their own experience. The symptoms of PMDD are physical and mental.
Some of the common physical symptoms of PMDD are:
- Tender or swollen breasts
- Pain in your muscles and joints
- Headaches
- Feeling bloated
- Changes in your appetite — overeating or having cravings
- Sleep problems
- Feeling tired
Some of the common mental symptoms of PMDD are:
- Mood swings
- Feeling upset, sad, or crying easily
- Feeling tired
- Being bored by things you normally enjoy
- Feeling hopeless
- Suicidal feelings or thoughts
- Feeling angry or easily annoyed
- Anxiety
- Feeling tense or on edge
- Being easily overwhelmed
- Feeling out of control
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Being angrier than usual with the people around you
- Getting very upset when it feels like people are rejecting you
PMDD symptoms often stop if you become pregnant. Once you begin ovulating again, your PMDD symptoms will likely come back.
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How do you treat PMDD?
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PMDD can be treated with hormonal contraception, such as:
- The contraceptive pill — taken continuously to skip your period
- Depo Provera
PMDD can also be treated with anti-depressants, therapy, or counselling.
Lots of people try a few PMDD treatments before they find the one that’s best for them. Make an appointment with us and we can help you decide what you want to do, provide treatment, and prescribe medicine.
If medical solutions don’t help with your PMDD, there are surgical options. We can help you find a specialist if you need one.
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Do you need urgent help?
If you require medical advice outside of our opening hours, call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116 anytime or get help from an after-hours medical centre.
If you — or someone you know — is struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings, contact the Suicide Crisis Helpline:
- Call the 24/7 Lifeline Helpline: 0800 543 354
- Free text HELP: 4357
- Call the Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865
If you — or someone you know — is in immediate danger, dial 111 for emergency services.
