PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)- more than just bad PMS..

April is PMDD Awareness Month and a lot more awareness is needed around this debilitating condition and the way that it can impact women's lives and those who care about them.

PMDD is a cyclic mood disorder caused by a sensitivity to the normal fluctuation of hormones throughout the menstrual cycle.

Whilst hormone imbalances such as oestrogen dominance (very common during perimenopause) can make symptoms worse, it isn't indicative of imbalanced hormones, but of the impact of hormone changes on the brain. Histamine issues which I wrote about last week can also make PMDD symptoms worse. Read the blog about histamine here: https://blossomwellbeing.com.au/histamine-hormones-perimenopause/

Most of the time PMDD occurs during the second half (luteal) stage of the cycle, following ovulation (1-2 weeks before a period) and usually resolving at the start of the period or a few days into it and causing debilitating symptoms such as:
-extreme fatigue and exhaustion not relieved by sleep
-insomnia OR increased need to sleep (some women struggle to stay awake and may end up sleeping 12-15 hours a day when PMDD is at it's worst)
-very low mood/depression and some women experience suicidal ideation
-anxiety and/or panic attacks
-extreme brain fog
-headaches/migraines
-severe body aches/joint aches/body pain
-flu type symptoms
-food cravings and binge eating
-difficulty doing normal daily tasks such as meal preparation, caring for kids, going to work
-relationship challenges due to emotional upheaval
-extreme irritability or rage

PMDD can occur at any stage during a woman's reproductive life, so may have begun with her first period or it may only appear later in life following a pregnancy or commonly, during perimenopause.

PMDD is much more common in neurodivergent women, impacting 45% of ADHD women and up to 92% of Autistic women. This is because neurodivergent brains are more sensitive to changes in hormones, but it also impacts many women who are not neurodivergent.

Many women may begin to experience PMDD or a worsening of their PMDD during perimenopause (this is even more likely for neurodivergent women who will be more sensitive to the hormonal changes during this phase of life) when hormone swings become even more pronounced and unpredictable.

There is still a general lack of understanding of PMDD with many GPs and even specialists such as gynecologists and psychiatrists not always being knowledgeable about it so it may go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed as a mental health or other mood disorder such as Bipolar or Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Many women spend years trying to get a diagnosis and the right kind of help to manage this debilitating and isolating condition.

Current medical management of PMDD is usually antidepressant or mood stabilising medications, birth control such as the pill or mirena or chemical menopause, with many women opting for surgery (hysterectomy) to stop the monthly agony and trauma that they experience.

From a holistic perspective there are many things to provide support for PMDD, diet and addressing nutritional deficiencies can help, along with supporting the adrenals and nervous system, addressing any additional hormone imbalances along with stress and emotional support strategies such as breathwork, meditation. Lifestyle elements such as regular exercise, adequate sleep and reducing alcohol can also help.

Alongside naturopathic/nutritional support, breathwork can be especially helpful for learning techniques to manage emotions or reduce anxiety whilst supporting the nervous system during this very challenging time each month for women experiencing PMDD.

Time for an appointment?

Book one here:
Initial consultation (new clients):
https://blossomwellbeing.as.me/initial-consultation

Follow up consultation (current/returning clients):
https://blossomwellbeing.as.me/naturopathic-review-appointment-online

Keen to chat about how breathwork and which type could most benefit you? Book a pre-session chat here:
https://blossomwellbeing.as.me/pre-breathwork-chat

Annabel