Understanding PMDD

Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that affects a significant number of women, impacting between 3 to 8 percent of those of reproductive age. Unlike PMS, which has milder symptoms, PMDD includes intense emotional and physical experiences that can disrupt daily life and relationships. Symptoms often manifest during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and may include extreme mood swings, depression, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, along with physical symptoms such as fatigue and sleep disturbances. These symptoms are thought to be linked to hormonal fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, which can cause greater sensitivity to mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin in women with PMDD.