We have all heard of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS for short, right? Well, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or PMDD, is very much the same as that.
The only real difference between PMDD and PMS is the fact that the PMDD symptoms tend to be a bit more serious.
This means that the symptoms of the condition have a huge impact on the day-to-day life of a person.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is thankfully very rare.
Only about 2% to 10% of women who are dealing with menstruation will have the symptoms.
The symptoms will tend to occur about one to two weeks before a period.
They will stop as soon as the period begins.
It is unknown what actually causes PMDD but it is believed that it is closely linked to hormonal changes in the body.
It is believed that these changes lead to a low level of serotonin in the brain.
This can cause all sorts of issues in the body.
As I mentioned at the start; PMDD symptoms tend to be very much the same as the symptoms of PMS.
The only real difference is that they are a great deal more severe.
Whilst many women will suffer from one or two PMS symptoms every period, it is unlikely they will notice them that much.
Those that suffer from PMDD will find that their premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms are severe.
They are so severe that it can make it difficult to get up and live their life.
Many people who suffer from PMDD will need to take regular time off work.
Symptoms of this condition include: - Mood Swings.
This can include seemingly random bouts of irritability and causing the woman to break down crying from time to time.
- Depression - General feeling of uselessness - Anger - Tension - Anxiety - Decreased interest in day to day life.
This ties ever so slightly into the depression that I mentioned previously.
- With PMDD there may be changes in the appetite.
This may cause people to eat a lot less than normal.
In other cases they may end up eating a whole lot more.
Think of it as akin to the cravings that pregnant women get from time to time.
- Feeling overwhelmed - Fatigue.
Despite feeling 'tired', many women who suffer from PMDD may have difficulty falling asleep at night.
- Breast tenderness or swelling - Headaches - Back pain - Acne - Joint Pain - Muscle Pain - Bloating in the stomach area.
This can lead to pain or changes in the consistency of the stool.
If you believe that you are suffering from PMDD, or PMS for that matter, it is important that you talk to your doctor.
They will be able to give you a formal diagnosis and let you know that you are not suffering from any other condition.
They will also be able to provide treatment options.
It is worth noting that there is no one 'miracle' treatment out there.
What may work for one person may not necessarily work for another.
It is therefore important that you take the time to find the right treatment in order to deal with your symptoms.