More Severe than Ordinary PMS: Get to Know Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and How to Deal With It

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Medical Video: What It's Like To Have Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Almost all women have had PMS or premenstrual syndrome. This condition is generally characterized by a moodeasy to change, lower abdominal cramps, slightly swollen breasts, until the body is limp. However, if the symptoms of PMS that you experience are so severe that you cannot move at all, you may have it premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD.

Suspicious of the conditions you have not just ordinary PMS and PMDD? Check out the full information below, let's see.

What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)?

Hormonal changes that occur in the menstrual cycle can indeed cause physical and emotional symptoms. But PMDD is not just a normal PMS. PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a disorder with a series of menstrual symptoms that are more extreme and more severe than PMS.

These symptoms can appear a week or two before the first day of menstruation and last for several days after menstruation.

What is the difference between PMDD and PMS?

Actually, the main difference in PMDD with PMS is the severity of the symptoms. People who experience PMS are usually still able to move even though they have certain complaints. While people with PMDD often cannot move like people who are sick.

In addition, PMDD cases usually require medical treatment, while PMS is not. In certain cases, women who are affected by this disorder even have a greater tendency to experience depression until they attempt suicide. In fact, later when the menstruation is complete, the condition will improve by itself.

Get to know the various symptoms of PMDD

Although PMDD is a more extreme disorder than PMS symptoms in general. PMDD can interfere with daily productivity to even relationships with the closest people. The following are symptoms of PMDD that must be known.

  • Mood so it's easy to sad and change
  • Feel depressed (moody and hopeless)
  • Easy to get angry and offended
  • Anxious, anxious and tense even though there are no obvious triggers
  • No enthusiasm for activity
  • Difficult to concentrate
  • Feel great fatigue
  • Appetite changes, usually so you want to eat constantly
  • Can not control emotions
  • Insomnia
  • Stomach cramps and bloating
  • Breast swelling and pain
  • Headache
  • Joint pain in various parts of the body

information about menstrual menstruation

Causes of PMDD

Experts do not know the exact reason why women can experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder. However, most of these extreme changes in psychological and physical symptoms are concluded to occur due to abnormal reactions to hormonal changes.

Reporting from WebMD, several studies have observed that women who have this disorder generally have low levels of serotonin. In the body, the hormone serotonin controls mood, emotions, sleep patterns, and pain in the body. Hormone levels can indeed be unbalanced before or during menstruation.

However, it has not been understood in detail why serotonin hormone in certain people can drop dramatically during menstruation.

How is the diagnosis of PMDD determined?

Before your doctor diagnoses you with PMDD, most doctors will ensure that you do not have a mental disorder such as depression or panic disorder. You must also be sure not to have other medical health conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, menopauseand other hormonal problems.

Generally, new diagnoses will be enforced in the following conditions.

  1. You certainly have symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, if you have at least five symptoms as described above.
  2. Your PMDD symptoms start from 7 to 10 days before you menstruate.
  3. PMDD symptoms that are felt begin to disappear after menstrual blood comes out.

How to deal with PMDD?

1. Take certain types of antidepressant drugs

To treat and relieve symptoms of PMDD, you can take antidepressant drugs such as fluoxetine and sertraline. This medicine can reduce symptoms such as emotional symptoms, fatigue, food cravings and problems with sleep patterns. You can reduce PMDD symptoms by taking antidepressant drugs at the time of ovulation and at the beginning of your menstrual period.

2. Take birth control pills and supplements

Some doctors will generally recommend that you take birth control pills taken in a short time to reduce symptoms of PMS and PMDD in some women. However, there are also recommended to consume 1,200 milligrams of food and additional calcium every day to reduce symptoms of PMS and PMDD.

Taking vitamin B-6, magnesium and L-tryptophan can also help you relieve PMDD pain and fatigue. However, first talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.

3. Changes in lifestyle

In addition to taking medication, your doctor will also recommend that you exercise regularly to reduce premenstrual symptoms. Also avoid consuming caffeine, alcohol, and immediately stop smoking. Also try to get enough sleep.

You can also practice using relaxation, meditation, and yoga techniques to manage stress and emotions when PMDD strikes.

More Severe than Ordinary PMS: Get to Know Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and How to Deal With It
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