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- What is PMDD?
- Symptoms of PMDD
- Causes of PMDD
- Prevention of PMDD
- Risk factors for PMDD
- Complications of PMDD
- When to see a doctor about PMDD
- Diagnosis of PMDD
- Conventional treatment of PMDD
- Alternative/complementary treatment of PMDD
- Living with PMDD
- Caring for someone with PMDD
Symptoms of pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
There are a number of symptoms associated with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), mainly emotional or mental, but also with a number of physical symptoms too.
Women with PMDD will usually experience many of these physical and psychological symptoms in the two weeks prior to their menstrual cycle and the symptoms normally dissipate once menstruation (and bleeding) starts:
Psychological symptoms
- Agitation and irritability
- Angry, hostile and feelings of rage
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Confusion and forgetfulness
- Crying very easily and over seemingly trivial matters
- Depression and feeling sad
- Easily overwhelmed and feeling out of control
- Emotionally hypersensitive
- Excessive sleepiness
- Inability to concentrate properly
- Inability to make decisions properly or at all
- Insomnia
- Lethargy and severe fatigue
- Lowered self-image
- Mood swings
- Strong desire to be left alone
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Physical symptoms
- Abdominal cramps and pelvic heaviness
- Aggravation of cold sores or other health conditions
- Allergies
- Breast tenderness, pain and fullness
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Dizziness or fainting
- Flare-up of acne
- Fluid retention
- Headache
- Infections
- Fluid retention in the ankles, feet and hands
- Heart palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness or tingling in either the arms or legs (or both)
Other symptoms
- Clumsiness
- Decreased or increased libido and sexual desire
- Food cravings
- Hot flashes
- Menstrual cramps
To be diagnosed with PMDD a woman must experience 5 or more of the following symptoms on a regular basis (each month) and in a severe way:
- Anxiety and tension
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Changes in appetite
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Feeling overwhelmed and out of control
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Sleep difficulties (insomnia or sleepiness)
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< 1: what is PMDD 3: causes > Last reviewed: 15 August 2008 || Last updated: 8 January 2010
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
