More painful than PMS, discover PMDD

Depressive mood, irritability, unexplained cravings, mood swings—our hormonal cycle and hormone fluctuations throughout the cycle, especially just before our period, can really make us feel… off!

Everything in our life can be going fine, and suddenly we don’t feel like doing anything. We can’t focus on work, we have dark thoughts and cry very easily. Fortunately, this state doesn’t last! From a few hours to a few days, you’ve probably been there—you’ve experienced PMS.

At Louloucup, we care about women’s mental health. Let’s talk about a more severe form of PMS: PMDD. Behind this acronym lies premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a psychiatric condition. Who is affected by PMDD? How does PMDD manifest? What solutions exist to relieve premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

🌸 Menstrual cycle, luteal phase and PMS

During the **menstrual cycle** or **hormonal cycle**, in the luteal phase (the last phase of the cycle between ovulation and menstruation), PMS or **premenstrual syndrome** can appear. As we’ve already discussed, PMS is a set of psychological and physical symptoms that people with periods may experience before their period starts.

More or less intense, varied and highly individual, PMS can show up as a “simple” headache or as a cocktail of pretty negative, hard-to-handle moods (anxiety, apathy, discouragement, irritability, etc.).

The list of **PMS symptoms** is very long. Health professionals have identified more than 150 symptoms in total. The range is therefore wide.
They include symptoms that are both:

•  physical (breast pain, joint pain, headaches, abdominal cramps, nausea, acne, food cravings, hot flashes, digestive issues, etc.)

• whether psychological (stress, anger, easy crying, hypersensitivity, mood swings, unexplained lack of self-confidence, insomnia, low libido, lack of concentration, etc.)

These symptoms don’t appear in the same way from one cycle to the next, which makes diagnosis even more complicated.

🌸 PMDD, definition

PMDD, on the other hand, can be described as PMS multiplied by ten. While PMS is already hard to cope with, PMDD is completely disabling and can paralyze the day of the woman who has to endure it.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition that prevents a woman from going about her day normally; she may be unable to work or handle everyday tasks and activities. PMDD therefore has a major impact on a woman’s daily life (her professional, family, romantic and social life) and her overall mood.

PMDD is a form of PMS with more severe, more intense and more paralyzing psychological and psychiatric symptoms.

PMDD is therefore very different from PMS. It’s not the same thing at all. It is also different from PCOS, more classic menstrual disorders or endometriosis.

🌸 What are the main symptoms of PMDD?

Several symptoms stand out when we talk about PMDD:

• anxiety;
• a clearly marked depressed mood, with the person overwhelmed by dark, negative thoughts (depressive disorders);
• a feeling of anger and a very irritable mood; 
• and emotional lability (unstable, sudden, disproportionate moods).

But also:

• a lack of interest in things/activities you usually enjoy;
• sleep disorders (insomnia or hypersomnia), which only make…
• the state of lethargy and general fatigue; 
• eating disorders; 
• concentration difficulties.

🌸 How does PMDD manifest?

As you may have understood, PMDD appears during the luteal phase and is therefore closely linked to hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone). PMDD makes a fulfilled and happy woman irritable, anxious, and depressed just before her period. The woman suffering from this condition no longer recognizes herself and feels like she's losing control. PMDD is thus a source of severe mental distress. PMDD arises just after ovulation and disappears with the onset of new periods. It can last several days (from 1 to 10 days). A woman may experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder at any time in her life.

🌸 Who is affected by PMDD?

PMDD most often appears between the ages of 30 and 35. This psychiatric disorder affects between 2 and 8% of women of childbearing age, from puberty to menopause.

🎀 What solutions can help relieve PMDD?

We already shared lots of tips for coping with premenstrual syndrome, such as eating better, exercising and avoiding stress. What about PMDD? Are there specific treatments? Are there tips and tricks to better cope with the luteal phase if you suffer from PMDD?

🎀 PMDD is a recognised mental and gynaecological disorder

Because this disorder is recognized as a mental and gynecological illness, both psychiatrists and gynecologists are qualified to diagnose PMDD. The challenge is finding a gynecology or psychiatry specialist who is competent and well informed about this condition. The diagnosis will be made if you observe and record symptoms over two consecutive menstrual cycles.

🎀 Treatment options to ease PMDD

There is still no specific medication dedicated to treating PMDD. However, women affected can tackle the various symptoms they experience in several ways:

• with synthetic hormones or a contraceptive (particularly to ease psychological symptoms and mood disorders),
• with the use of antidepressants,
• with cognitive and behavioral therapies (psychotherapy),
• by adopting a more suitable lifestyle (exercise, rest, avoiding alcohol, coffee, etc.)

In addition to the gynaecologist and psychiatrist, an endocrinologist, nutritionist, psychologist, as well as a naturopath and sophrologist can all be a great help!

🎀 Get informed and don’t stay alone with it

Do you think you might have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)? You’re not alone! Although this psychiatric condition is still not widely known, awareness is slowly growing.

The TDPM France association can help you better understand what’s going on and give you tools to cope with this very difficult phase of your menstrual cycle, thanks to support groups, online resources and personal stories.