Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

PMDD symptoms

Most women know that they have reached their menopause after going for a year without having a menstrual cycle. However, this may be hard sometimes especially for women who have premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This is because PMDD symptoms and PMS premenopausal symptom may be hard to differentiate. Some women who experience PMS premenopausal symptoms sometimes tend to think it is their normal experience known to come before their menstrual cycle. Nevertheless, although these symptoms may be similar, there is a way they can be differentiated. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder affects about three to five percent of women. It has symptoms, which can be severe and likely to impair relationship of a woman at home, her place of study or even at her work place. Therefore, knowing its symptoms is very important:

PMDD symptoms

Sometimes, these symptoms may be mistaken for depression symptoms. However, typical physical and clinical symptoms can be used to distinguish them. The main symptoms, which are common include:

• Difficulties in concentrating
• Feeling unhappy: The feeling can be very intense sometimes.
• The person is unable to be positive about the future.
• Sometimes, a woman may feel worthless and useless almost at everything.
• Crying for a certain reason
• A woman also become very sensitive to rejection
• The person also gets tearful or sad very easily.
• There are also increased instances of conflict with other people and persistent anger.
• There is also a noticeable loss of interest in other people and activities. For instance, if it is at school, they may not want to be with others and not be interested in hobbies.
• Getting out of control or overwhelmed very fast.
• Being unable to sleep or even sleeping more than is normal.
• Increased appetite or comfort in eating especially for sweet or salty foods
• Physical symptoms such as breast tenderness and even swelling may also be attributed to that.
• Muscle and joint pain, which might be accompanied by headache.
• Altered view of the body and a sensation of bloat and weight gain.

The menstrual cycle vary from one woman to another. As such, timing of any PMS premenopausal symptom may be interfered with if a woman experiences PMDD symptoms. However, it is important to know that PMDD is common in most cases during the week that precedes menstruation. Its symptoms also decrease when having menstrual bleed. During the week that follows menstruation, there are no symptoms experienced and this period can be longer for women who have a longer cycles.