Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder General Information

Before the flow of the menstrual cycle, some women experience certain changes in their mood and body. Sometimes, these signs and symptoms may be severe and may interfere in the woman’s lifestyle. PMDD or more commonly known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is the severe form of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) that affects only 5 to 10 % of the women all around the globe. Specialists refer to this type of medical condition as a mood disorder that can be associated with the secretory phase (or luteal phase) of the menstrual cycle. A mood disorder has biological causes that appear after changes in the brain’s chemistry. The majority of women experience mild to moderate mood and physical manifestations, such as bloating, breast pain and breast tenderness before the flow of their menstrual cycle. These types of minor problems are called PMS. During their reproductive years, several women suffer from a more severe premenstrual condition called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. As in the case of PMS, PMDD also includes physical and mood symptoms that will usually involve more severe and worse manifestations that will affect the quality of life. The marks of this medical condition are: extreme irritability, severe depression and maximum tension felt before the menses. These symptoms have negative effects upon her social life; she will avoid interacting with friends and relatives. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder can be easily treated if the respective woman cooperates with her health care provider.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, as any other medical condition presents some specific signs and symptoms that usually do not vary in intensity, because they are always worse than the usual ones and disappear only with the flow of the menstrual cycle. They are similar to those of regular PMS (premenstrual syndrome), but tend to be more debilitating and severe, affecting the woman’s quality of life. The symptoms can be emotional, physical or mental. Any symptoms occur during the last week of the menstrual cycle and improve a day or two after the period starts. The following signs and symptoms are usually experienced by all women who suffer from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, although in some cases, unique and particular manifestations were reported: trouble concentrating, attacks of panic, feelings of hopelessness and sadness that may lead to the appearance of possible suicidal thoughts, sleep disturbances, feelings of anxiety or intense tension, low energy, extreme tiredness or feeling out of control. Other psychological manifestations that appear are: periods of teariness along with mood swings, ignorance or disinterest in relationships and daily activities, binge eating, persistent anger or irritability that affects the relations with other people and food cravings. There are some physical changes that may be accused by some patients, for example hypersomnia or insomnia, headaches, bloating, heart palpitations, muscle or joint pain, tenderness of breasts and decrease or increase of sex drive. The causes of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder are not yet identified, although they can include several cultural, biological, social and psychological factors.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Treatment

You are strongly advised that as soon as you start experiencing any of the specific signs and symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, to call your health care provider and demand for medical advice. Because this medical condition may be dangerous for the patient’s life considering the thoughts of suicide and because it interferes in the patient’s social life, an urgent treatment is needed. No lab tests or physical examinations can diagnose PMDD. Other potential medical conditions are ruled out by psychiatric evaluation, physical exams (for example a pelvic exam) or complete medical history. A woman should keep a diary or calendar of the signs and symptoms she is experiencing; this will help the health care provider identify Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and decide what treatment fits best with the patient’s condition. If it is diagnosed in time and treated properly, the outlook of this medical disorder is positive. Most women said that with a treatment, their symptoms have dropped to tolerable levels or even gone away. The main goals of any treatment for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder are symptoms reduction and improvements in the occupational and social functioning, resulting in an enhanced quality of living. If you suspect that you are suffering from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and you have not consulted a specialist yet, you may be helped by the following advice: adequate rest, regular physical exercise (including aerobics), at least 5 times weekly and a balanced diet that should include increased amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, fish or chicken and decreased levels of caffeine, sugar, salt, complex carbohydrates and alcohol. A change of the lifestyle may be valuable for patients with mildly severe symptoms.

After seeing a doctor, you will receive a prescription that may contain any of the following: Celexa (Citalopram), Zoloft (Sertraline), Luvox (Fluvoxamine), Paxil (Paroxetine), Prozac and Sarafem (Fluoxetine). All these drugs are known to be antidepressants drugs, called SSRIs, meaning selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors. Many doctors choose a therapy based on these medicines because they have positive and rapid effects on almost all the female patients. Nutritional supplements are also recommended, especially magnesium, vitamin B6 (in dosages of up to 70 mg per day) and calcium carbonate (in dosages of up to 1600 mg per day). The most common used calcium supplementations are the Tums E-X that decreased the symptoms in 50% of the cases and are the risk of osteoporosis. Tryptophan, an amino acid that is the substrate of serotonin may also be effective. Vitamin E, an antioxidant reduces the physical and affective symptoms of this type of medical disorder. In order to relieve the pain caused by backache, headache, breast tenderness and menstrual cramping, doctors administrate pain relievers such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin. If there is fluid retention that leads to weight gain, diuretics are considered very useful. There is an alternative treatment option, the hormone therapy needed to mimic natural levels of certain hormones. None of these treatment options can eliminate completely the Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. The only complete cure consists in removing the ovaries or menopause.