Is it normal to feel discomfort before periods? Or is it PMDD? (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)

Do you feel unimaginably angry, sad, and helpless about a week before your periods start? Do you fight with family, officemates, or friends for no reason? Do you feel like you can't control yourself? Do you ever think, 'This isn't just PMS'? Then this story will be very important to you. Today we are talking about PMDD , a condition that is more severe than the PMS that many people have heard of and that has a huge impact on your life.

PMDD and PMS… What is the real difference between the two?

Simply put, many women experience some discomfort before their period starts. We usually call this PMS, which stands for `( Premenstrual Syndrome )`. Things like stomach aches , breast tenderness, food cravings, a little irritability, and fatigue are common during PMS. This has become a normal part of life for many people.

But Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder ( PMDD) is a much more serious condition . Think of it this way: PMS is like a mild cold, while PMDD is like severe pneumonia. The mental and physical symptoms of PMDD can be so severe that they can interfere with your daily activities, work, school, family life, and even social relationships. It's more than just a "mood swing."

What are the main symptoms of PMDD?

PMDD symptoms usually start a week to ten days before your period starts. These symptoms usually go away within a few days of your period starting. These symptoms can be both psychological and physical.

Why does PMDD occur? Causes and risk factors

Researchers are still not sure what exactly causes PMDD, but the main theory is that it is caused by the brain's abnormal response to the normal hormonal changes that occur with the menstrual cycle .

To be precise, our brains contain a chemical that controls things like happiness, sleep, and attention. It's called serotonin . This serotonin level drops with the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle. The brains of people with PMDD are very sensitive to this decrease in serotonin. This is considered to be a major cause of the severe mental symptoms of PMDD.

There are several other factors that increase the risk of developing PMDD:

• Already suffering from a mental illness such as depression or anxiety.
• Having someone in the family (mother, sister) with PMDD or severe PMS.
• Having severe PMS before.
• Traumatic events or severe stress experienced in life.

How do you know for sure if you have PMDD?

If you have the symptoms mentioned above, the best thing to do is to see a doctor . Tell the doctor about your symptoms in detail.

Before your doctor diagnoses PMDD, they will check to see if there are other causes for your symptoms. For example:

• Other mental conditions such as depression or panic disorder.
• Gynecological diseases such as endometriosis and fibroids.
• Approaching menopause.
• Other hormonal problems, such as thyroid.

After checking all of this, your doctor may diagnose you with PMDD if the following conditions apply to you:

• You must have at least five of the characteristics mentioned above.
• Those symptoms should start 7-10 days before your period starts.
• Those symptoms should go away once menstruation begins.

Your doctor may also ask you to keep a symptom diary. Writing down how your symptoms come and go with your menstrual cycle for about two months can be very helpful in diagnosing the condition.

What are the treatments for PMDD?

The good news is that PMDD is a treatable condition. There are several treatment options available. You can talk to your doctor to decide which treatment option is best for you.

Lifestyle changes

These are the things you can try first.

• Exercise: Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, such as walking , running, or swimming, can greatly improve mental well-being .
• Diet: Reduce sugar, salt, caffeine (coffee, tea), and alcohol as much as possible. Eat more complex carbohydrates (brown rice, oats, vegetables).
• Stress management: Things like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress.
• Adequate sleep: It is very important to get a good night's sleep of 7-8 hours a day.

Medicines and vitamins

If lifestyle changes alone aren't enough, your doctor may prescribe medication.

• Antidepressants: SSRIs are the most commonly used medications. These help balance serotonin levels in the brain and help control the psychological symptoms of PMDD.
• Birth control pills: Some types of birth control pills can help stabilize hormone levels and reduce PMDD symptoms. However, this doesn't work for everyone. You should talk to your doctor about it.
• Painkillers: You can take painkillers such as paracetamol or NSAIDs for things like headaches and body aches.
• Vitamins and supplements: Research has found that things like calcium, vitamin B6, and magnesium can help some people. However, don't take any vitamins or supplements without first checking with your doctor.

Talk Therapy

By talking to a trained counselor (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT), you can learn how to successfully deal with this condition, control your anger, and manage your thoughts.

How can you help someone with PMDD?

If your wife, girlfriend, sister, or friend has PMDD, your support is invaluable to them.

• Understand that this is a real illness: Don't dismiss it as 'that's just how it is' or 'just kidding'. Accept that this is a real, painful medical condition.
• Be patient: He may behave differently during this time. He may get angry, cry. Be patient until the symptoms subside.
• Ask how you can help: Ask, “How can I help you?” Maybe he just needs some alone time, or maybe he just wants to feel like you're there.
• Encourage medical advice: Encourage him to see a doctor. If necessary, go with him.
• Think about yourself too: Living with someone with PMDD can be stressful for you at times. Take care of your mental health as well.