This April is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
awareness month, an annual event held to raise awareness and dispel the stigma
around PMDD and other related premenstrual disorders, premenstrual
syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual exacerbation of an existing
condition (PME).
For more information and to get involved in this month’s
activities, take a look at the International
Association of Premenstrual Disorders’ dedicated PMDD Awareness Month webpage.
What is PMDD?
In 2019 the World Health Organization added PMDD to the International
Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Eleventh
Revision (ICD-11), defining it as:
‘a pattern of mood symptoms (depressed mood,
irritability), somatic symptoms (lethargy, joint pain, overeating), or
cognitive symptoms (concentration difficulties, forgetfulness) that begin
several days before the onset of menses [sometimes referred to as a woman’s ‘period’],
start to improve within a few days after the onset of menses, and then become
minimal or absent within approximately 1 week following the onset of menses.’
This means that PMDD is now recognised as a medical
condition, as well as being classed as a mental health disorder, according to
the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders.
Last of all, closer to home in the UK, the MIND website
describes PMDD as:
‘a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome
(PMS), which can cause many emotional and physical symptoms every month during
the week or two before you start your period’.
At present, it’s estimated that 3-8% of women and
individuals assigned female at birth have PMDD. But, because PMDD is so closely
related to people’s experiences of a naturally occurring menstrual cycle, it
can often be very difficult to diagnose.
Plus, nobody knows exactly what causes PMDD. Though
scientists believe that the cause could be related to a person’s genetics or
being very sensitive to changes in their own hormone levels.
However, currently there is no test for PMDD and the only
way to confirm whether somebody has the condition is for them to track their
symptoms over the of several cycles. This is because the timing of an
individual’s symptoms is key to ruling out other conditions, confirming a
diagnosis of PMDD, and deciding on the best treatment option for that
particular person.
What are the symptoms
of PMDD?
Many people who have periods can experience mild symptoms
of PMS, but with PMDD the symptoms are much worse and can have a serious impact
on your work, social life and family relationships.
Some of the symptoms to look out for with PMDD are:
- mood swings
- feeling upset or tearful
- feeling angry or irritable
- feelings of anxiety
- feeling of hopeless
- feelings of tension or being on edge
- difficulty concentrating
- feeling overwhelmed
- lack of energy
- less interest in activities you normally
enjoy
- suicidal feelings
Some people can also experience physical symptoms including
headaches, feeling bloated, and changes in appetite such as overeating or having
specific food cravings.
The fact that symptoms can vary so much from person to
person often makes it even more difficult to identify PMDD. According to a BBC report from 2020,
this means that many people with PMDD struggle to get recognition for their
symptoms and can wait years for a diagnosis and any form of treatment from
their doctors.
What support is
available for PMDD?
If you have been diagnosed with PMDD, or you feel that you
experience some of the symptoms mentioned above, then our online community is a
safe space to talk about PMDD. We urge anyone who feels that it might help them
to reach out and share your experiences with us.
Plus, there are a number of social media support groups dedicated
to the premenstrual disorders. You can find more information by going online
and searching for a Facebook or Twitter PMDD support group to suit you and your
own circumstances.
Lastly, the following websites contain a range of resources
to help people with PMDD.
Over to you:
- Do you or a loved on have PMDD? Or do you think you might
have PMDD?
- Had you heard of PMDD before today?
- What about the stereotypes that we tend to associate with
the premenstrual disorders?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
