How to Recognize and Treat PMDD

We are all too familiar with PMS stigmatism. Yes, it is true that some women may become more irritable the week before their monthly menstruation begins. While irritability may not be a pleasant thing to deal with, it should be understandable considering the hormonal imbalances that are occurring. But what happens when irritability turns to rage and emotional instability turns to suicidal and or homicidal thoughts? This severe condition is not merely PMS and should not be misinterpreted as such. The individual may be suffering from a little known condition called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD. What is PMDD, what are its causes and is treatment available?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• calendar
• pen

1. PMDD is similar to PMS except that it is much more severe. Symptoms may be physical and/or mental and may include: Feelings of sadness or despair, or possibly suicidal thoughts Feelings of tension or anxiety Panic attacks Mood swings, crying Lasting irritability or anger that affects other people Disinterest in daily activities and relationships Trouble thinking or focusing Tiredness or low energy Food cravings or binge eating Trouble sleeping Feeling out of control Bloating Breast tenderness Headaches Joint or muscle pain Symptoms Occur the week prior to menstruation and cease immediately when bleeding begins or within the first 1 or 2 days. If an individual suffers from 5 of these symptoms during this time period, it may be an indication of PMDD.
2. There are no concrete answers as to what causes PMDD. It is most commonly believed that PMDD is due to the lack of serotonin in the brain and fluctuates with levels of progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
3. Diagnosing PMDD is somewhat tricky as PMS and PMDD often parallel each other. Keep a consistent record of mood fluctuations (good and bad) and physical symptoms on a monthly calendar. Notate when you begin menstruation, the rate of flow and when menstruation ceases. Also record positive and negative interactions with others specifically your husband/boyfriend i.e. "Argued with husband over missing dinner. Threw and broke dishes. Cried allot. Heavy cramping. Felt panic. Lasted 3 hours." Do this over the course of at least 3 months. It is recommended to continue this documentation thru menopause. This record of moods and events will illustrate symptoms, actions and reactions, trigger points, etc. and is the primary method of diagnosing PMDD. Be sure to bring this calendar journal with you to meet with your doctor.
4. Once diagnosed, there are various forms of treatment including lifestyle changes and prescription medications. Lifestyle changes may include reduction in caffeine, salt, carbohydrate and alcohol intake; eating high protein meals; drinking water; supplementing diet with vitamin B6, calcium and omega 3. Other recommendations include exercise, stress reduction, counselling and behavior management strategies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three medications for the treatment of PMDD: Fluoxetine (Prozac or Sarafem), Sertraline (Zoloft), and Paroxetine HCI (****). L-tryptophan, a serotonin precursor has also been shown to offer relief of symptoms. It is important to seek medical treatment from a physician familiar with PMDD as there are possible side effects to prescription and non-prescription treatment. Also, long term treatment may be necessary to monitor symptoms and to reevaluate medication dosages. For extreme cases, hormonal treatments may be necessary to cease menstruation.
5. The good news is that PMDD is treatable and symptoms disappear with pregnancy and with the onset of menopause.

Tips & Warnings

• This article offers a limited summary of PMDD and its possible causes and treatments. Additional research is recommended.
• This article was not written by a medical professional. Anyone suffering from PMDD symptoms should seek treatment from a medical professional immediately.