PMDD – the acronym for premenstrual dysphoric disorder – is a quite common disorder affecting women all over the world; approximately, two to ten per cent of women who are menstruating suffer from this disorder. Although it is not really considered as a ‘disease”, it is known for seriously disrupting the lives of women. As a result, these women may distance themselves from their peers, partners and family. Worse, their careers may stop advancing. As the name indicates, PMDD is similar to PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Some even classify the former as a type of PMS. However, even though both these conditions show similar signs, the symptoms associated with the former are much more severe.
Researchers could not yet find what causes PMDD. Neither could they find the reason for the apparent relationship between depression and PMDD. In recent times, a few researchers found a strong correlation between changes in hormone level that are brought about by menstrual cycle and PMDD. Also, when the concentration of serotonin – which is a brain chemical involved with the transmission of nerve signals – falls, the symptoms of PMDD aggravate. This is because the chemical helps brain cells regulate pain, sleep, attention and mood – the symptoms associated with PMDD. Thus a variation in the level of serotonin is thought to be responsible for PMDD.
There are a large number of symptoms caused by PMDD. The most common of these are:
A woman may visit a doctor if she observes one or more of these symptoms. The doctor will help to deal with the emotional as well as the physical symptoms. The doctor will also conduct medical exams to make sure whether these symptoms are due to PMDD. However, the chances of being diagnosed with PMDD are low if the affected woman does not face more than four of these symptoms.
Since the symptoms of PMDD are severe enough to make life difficult for women, immediate treatment is often necessary. Here are the most effective of such treatment:
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