PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER (PMDD)
DEFINITION
The premenstrual dysphoric disorder affects a minute number of women say 3-8% during their years of menstruation. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a condition during which a woman suffers emotional and physical symptoms weeks before her monthly period. This symptom is characterized by depression symptoms, tension, anxiety, and irritability. This symptoms often affect their daily lives, including, work, school, and relationships. In several cases, the symptoms stop when or after the menstrual period begins.
CAUSES
A known cause is yet to be found. Most researchers, however, think that an abnormal reaction to hormonal changes that occur during a woman menstrual cycle may play a role. The hormonal changes may also lead to a low level of serotonin in the brain, the serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in depresssion, appetite, sleep etc and is crucial in maintaining a senes of well being.
Other causes includes: alcohol and substance abuse, being overweight, thryoid disorder, a mother with a history of the disorder
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Many women with this condition have:
EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS
Mood swings
Anxiety
Feeling of hopelessness
Difficulty Concentrating
Anger
Irritability
Tension
Less interest in activities you normally enjoy
Suicidal thoughts
Crying
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
Sleeping problems
Joint and Muscle pain
Headache
Changes in appetite such as overeating
Breast tenderness or swelling
Cramps
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
DIAGNOSIS
Your health care provider can make a diagnosis if:
You experience at least 7 of the symptoms above.
The symptoms start two weeks before your period and lead when or after you start.
If the symptoms are daily experiences with no improvement when you begin your period, Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is ruled out.
If you have any of the symptoms, your health care provider may need to check your medical history and carry out some thorough examination and probably carry out a psychological evaluation to check your emotional and mental state.
TREATMENT
Treatment may help in relieving symptoms.
Antidepressants like SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) which has been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of premenstrual dysphonic disorder. The Four SSRI approved are Fluoxetine (Prozac or Sarafem), escitalopam oxalate (Lexapro) Sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil). SSRIs only needs to be taken during PMDD symptoms. There are significant symptoms alleviation in people using SSRIs.
Another treatment used is injection of a drug that creates a temporary, drug-induced menopause like condition.
Pyschotherapy that includes cognitive behavioral therapy is a great way of treating PMDD. CBT is an approach that evaluate dysfunctional emotions and how they can be improved. Through CBT patients are able to address issues, thoughts as well as behavioral patterns that makes anxiety and depression worse.
In cases where medicatiom has failed, a permanent solution of removing the ovaries through a surgery procedure may be carried out. This produces and immediate and permanent cure.
Other treatment may include:
* Changes in diet
* Regular exercise
* Stress management
* Vitamin Supplements
* Some nutritional supplements that have been shown to reduce symptoms of PMDD. E.g chasteberry