PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Central Nervous System,Emergency Medicine,Mental Health,Reproductive

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? — Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms that happens right before a woman gets her monthly period. Many women get PMS, especially mild PMS.
When the symptoms are severe, doctors call it premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is not as common.
What are the symptoms of PMS and PMDD? — PMS and PMDD cause body symptoms as well as changes in mood. The most common symptoms are:
Bloating
Feeling tired, angry, or worried
Other symptoms can include:
Mood swings
Feeling sad or hopeless, or crying a lot
Eating more than usual or craving certain foods
Trouble concentrating
Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
Breast soreness or swelling
Headaches
If symptoms are severe, women can have trouble at work, school, or getting along with family and friends.
Is there a test for PMS or PMDD? — No. There is no test. But your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have it by talking with you. He or she will want to know which symptoms you have and when you have them. To get this information, he or she might ask you to write down your symptoms each day for 2 monthly cycles.
To have PMS or PMDD, you must have symptoms that:
Only happen 1 to 2 weeks before your period starts, and not during or right after your period
Affect both your body and mood
Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? — Yes. To help feel better, you can:
Get regular exercise – Exercise usually helps people feel less sad and worried.
Find a way to relax – For example, you can try yoga or relaxation exercises.
Avoid salty foods and eating large meals, if you have bloating
Take an "NSAID" medicine to treat pain or headaches – NSAIDs are a group of medicines that includes ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
You might hear or read about herbs or vitamins that can help improve PMS and PMDD. It's a good idea to ask your doctor or nurse before you try them.
Can doctors treat PMS and PMDD with medicines? — Yes. Doctors can treat PMS and PMDD with different kinds of medicines. These include:
A group of medicines called "SSRIs" – SSRIs include fluoxetine (sample brand names: Prozac, Sarafem) and sertraline (brand name: Zoloft). These medicines are also used to treat depression and anxiety (when people worry too much).
Birth control pills – Some women find that their PMS and PMDD improve after they start taking birth control pills. There are different types of birth control pills. Your doctor will help you choose the one that's right for you.
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Mar 30, 2020.
Topic 16161 Version 6.0
Release: 28.2.2 - C28.105
© 2020 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

Abdominal Bloating,PMDD,PMS,Premenstrual Tension Syndromes

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. ©2020 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2020 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.