Different women experience those five days of the month different from each other. Some women do not share the hardships of the menstrual cramps or other symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle, and others experience it in a very terrific manner.
The bodily functions regulated by the hormonal changes during these five days differ from one woman to another. These changes decide how much pain a woman needs to endure collectively. For some women sitting straight and working at this time seems out of the question, and the others have confessed that their menstrual pain is worst than labor pain.
But there are specific symptoms and side effects that are rarely experienced by women. Even if they do, it seriously calls for immediate medical attention, and ignoring them could lead to gruesome results. One such rare condition is known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is the most severe form of the pre-menstrual condition, which only disappears after the menstrual cycle has begun and reached the second day of blood flow. Sources have also noted a range somewhere between 20 and 40 percent of women who experience premenstrual symptoms.
But in the case of PMDD, there is a ratio between 3 and 8 percentage of women who experience it, and it affects their day to day living routine. Women experience more Premenstrual Syndrome cases (PMS), but PMDD cases relatively shrink due to its rare occurrence and severity of its symptoms.
PMDD causes a woman to not effectively work in her daily routine while experiencing symptoms related to it. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder can extend up till a woman approaches menopause and could be discomforting. It is understood till now, medications and treatment could improve this condition in a woman.
What are the symptoms?
Doctors and women suffering from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder have mentioned that although PMS and PMDD could have similar signs, except that the occurrence of PMDD could have much more severe symptoms than PMS.
As mentioned above, the symptoms begin in the week before the menstrual cycle and last only until the cycle starts and reach the second or third day. A woman experiencing PMDD could have disputes due to mood swings and discomfort.
There are chances of fluid retention that lead to one of the body’s organs not managing the bodily fluid mechanism causing swelling or pain in various parts. Here are some of the commonly experienced symptoms during Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder:
- Emotionally very sensitive
- Mood swings that might lead to nervousness, anxiety, depression, etc.
- heart palpitations
- Feeling of Paranoia
- Signs of Forgetfulness
- The feeling of severe fatigue
- Belly Bloating due to Gastrointestinal Issues
- Backache
- The feeling of dizziness
- fainting
- The inability to sleep
- Complaints with Visibility
- Respiratory problems
- Extremely Painful Menstrual Bleeding
- The sensation of tingling or numbness is at extreme
- Highly sensitive
- Skin issues such as acne or feeling of inflammation
- Breast tenderness
- Swelled hands, feet, or the ankles
Understanding the Causes or Diagnosis of PMDD
The doctors haven’t been able to understand the reasons behind why Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder precisely. But a close theory suggested that due to sudden hormonal changes in a woman’s body during or just before the menstrual cycle, the fluctuation causes the brain to respond abnormally to this change known as “the deficiency of neurotransmitter serotonin.”
Women with any family history of postpartum depression have also been diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, where they are prone to anxiety and mood swings more than other women. So before diagnosed with the condition, your doctor would probably look for specific symptoms to decide whether you are experiencing PMDD or not.
The doctor will check whether your health condition or the symptoms have any connection with your menstruation or any symptoms specific to PMDD present. for instance:
- the symptoms should be present at least one week before the beginning of the cycle.
- The symptoms disappear after the cycle proceeds, or after it’s been 2-3 days, it has begun.
- the symptoms hamper the regular functioning ability in daily life
- Is there a feeling of hopelessness and sadness?
- Is there a feeling of anxiety or tension?
- Are you feeling a consistent change in your mood?
- The inability to concentrate or change in appetite
- You are socially withdrawing yourself or lack control of your emotions.
- Weight gain, breast tenderness, belly-bloating, etc.
Moreover, experts have also mentioned that the symptoms must be present for at least two menstrual cycles consecutively before diagnosis.
The Available Treatments for PMDD
According to Medical News Today, the doctors prescribe medications to affect ovulation and Central Nervous System. After a successful diagnosis, your doctor might prescribe you anti-depressants or Oral Contraceptive Pills; sometimes, Cognitive theory also works as it had helped women with PMS conditions to help with anxiety depression during PMDD.
There are supplements to help relieve PMDD symptoms, such as magnesium oxide or dietary supplements of VItamin E, Vitamin B6, calcium, etc. But in a review, experts mentioned that magnesium oxide isn’t beneficial to the symptoms of PMDD. Rather calcium and Vitamin D could be better alternatives and have helped women cure PMS symptoms and protect them from osteoporosis.
Hence, both these dietary supplements could probably help with PMDD as well. One could go for remedies like yoga and acupuncture for results, but there hasn’t been any study to prove that these methods could help relieve PMDD. Moreover, doctors recommend making lifestyle changes, such as decreasing the intake of sugar, salt, caffeine, and alcohol, but increasing the consumption of more protein in your daily diet.
What you can do is talk to someone you trust on your challenging days or try managing your stress by channeling it into something positive can help too. Visit your physician and take his experts’ opinion over what would help you best reduce the symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and make menstruation stress free and less cynical.
