PMDD: How Menstruation Can Come With Debilitating Symptoms

If you have a period every month or at least every other month, you should be familiar with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Those days before your period where everything feels off.

Irritated for no reason, crying over random videos, exhausted, anxious, the whole drama. Most of you know the drill, that's usually PMS.

But for some women, it goes way beyond mood swings and cravings. Menstruation becomes more than just a monthly inconvenience.

Imagine feeling so overwhelmed before each period that it affects your daily life, work, relationships, sleep and even how you see yourself. That's what life with PMDD can feel like.

What is PMDD?

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS that causes intense emotional and physical symptoms in the weeks before a period starts. PMDD symptoms typically appear one to two weeks before menstruation and usually improve shortly after the period begins.

While PMS may feel uncomfortable, PMDD can feel completely disruptive and significantly impact a woman's health.

According to a review done by Amity Institute of Behavioral and Allied Sciences in India, PMDD can be linked to an abnormal sensitivity to the natural hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle.

Hormonal changes before menstruation can affect brain chemicals such as serotonin, which plays a key role in regulating mood. For women with PMDD, these hormonal shifts can trigger intense debilitating symptoms that interfere with everyday activities.

PMDD symptoms vary from woman to woman, but most symptoms include: • Extreme mood swings • Intense sadness or hopelessness • Anxiety or panic attacks • Anger and irritability that feels impossible to control • Fatigue and low energy • Difficulty concentrating • Changes in sleep and appetite • Weight fluctuations • Bloating, breast tenderness and body pain

The hardest part is that many women don't even realize it could be PMDD. Most women tend to brush it off as being "too emotional" or "overly dramatic", and so they continue to struggle each month.

Time To See A Medical Professional?

It's easy to assume that you just have to endure your symptoms till the period begins. However, debilitating symptoms that affect quality of life, work performance and daily activities should not be ignored.

You should consider speaking with a healthcare professional if your symptoms consistently occur before your period and improve afterward. If you experience depression, severe anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm and your mood swings become overwhelming or difficult to manage, it might be time to book an appointment with your doctor.

Thriving Despite PMDD

It can be challenging to live with PMDD, but there are effective treatments available that you can explore with your physician.

Apart from medication, remedies like lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques, therapy and hormonal treatments can help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

Finding the right healthcare professional can be tricky and time-consuming, that's why you need The FEMME App. To connect you to a dedicated expert within minutes so you save time and get the support you need.

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