PMDD what's it all about?

Health, there seem to be a lot of articles on health out there, especially on women's health and the list of health problems or concerns goes on and on forever. You will read about hormonal imbalances and energy levels and skin imperfections and even what's good for your gut, but there are just some disorders you never here about.

PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder is the most severe type of PMS you can possibly suffer from and it affects between 2%-10% of women. It is actually debilitating to the point of it affecting a woman's career, as she will not be able to go to work or function in her everyday life. Symptoms include mood swings, depression and feelings of hopelessness, tension, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and sleep problems. These are just a few and you can read about this more in-depth Here.

You are more likely to suffer from PMDD if there is a family history of depression and or anxiety or if you yourself suffer depression and anxiety or have suffered post-natal depression.

I suppose you’re probably saying to yourself: ‘this sounds exactly like PMS and PMT’, but I can assure you it is nothing like PMS or PMT. In fact, it is more like TNT and how could I possibly know? Because I suffer from PMDD and have done for a while – I was only diagnosed a few years ago but it has got progressively worse as I grew older.

It is very funny how hormones and the lack of in this case (progesterone) can make you feel like a completely different person. I think for me the biggest change has been dealing with the emotional side and the anxiety, which has been exacerbated tenfold.

I am particularly lucky to have a very supportive and loving husband and lovely supportive friends and family but when I am suffering I do not want to see anyone, let alone let them help me in any way. My husband is the only person I see when I am unwell and suffering and I am very grateful he stands firm and continues to love me when I feel very unlovable and downright horrible.

There are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms but there is no cure and you basically have to wait until menopause is over. There are vitamins and minerals you can take and a wonderful vitamin called Vitex, also known as Agnus Castus, and it does help quite a bit. I didn't know how much it helped until I stopped taking it, thinking I didn't need it and would be ok. Let's just say that wasn't one of my better ideas. Magnesium is another wonderful mineral that will help as it relaxes the body and is also beneficial for the heart.

You can find out about other supplements and natural help Here.

Getting enough sleep, meditating, eating correctly and taking vitamins and minerals and exercising will all help. I am not the best at getting enough exercise and also tend to go to bed too late sometimes because I can't put my book down or am busy on my computer. But I try to get all the other elements in balance and if all else fails, I pray and sometimes that is all I can do on a bad day and that's o.k.

Getting support is important as well and may be in the form of contacting your family doctor and or a naturopath as they can work well together. Just make sure you advise your family doctor of any vitamins and minerals you start taking so they can note it down. Support from family and friends is also vital but if you can not get that support I do encourage talking to a counsellor or therapist as it is always helpful to be able to talk about what is going on in your body and what you’re feeling. 

I hope this has helped any women out there who may suffer from PMDD as it is a subject that is not talked about and I feel it needs to be. I also hope it may help any husbands, partners, daughters, sons or anyone who may have someone in there life suffering from this condition.

Remember to be kind to yourself and take some time out when things get difficult. There is help out there, we just have to ask for it.