THE WOMEN’S HEALTH GROUP, P.C.

9195 Grant Street, Suite 410, Thornton, CO 80229

Phone: 303-280-2229 (BABY)

300 Exempla Circle, Suite 470, Lafayette, CO 80026

Phone: 303-665-6016

www.whg-pc.com

PMS/PMDD

PMS or “Premenstrual Syndrome” is a condition characterized by both physical and behavioral symptoms that occur in the latter half of the menstrual cycle.  PMDD or “Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder” is a more serious form of PMS in which anger, irritability, and internal tension are the predominant symptoms.  PMS affects more than 30% of the female population, while PMDD is much less common, affecting approximately 8% of the population.

The most common physical complaints that accompany PMS are abdominal bloating, fatigue, breast tenderness, and headaches.  The most common behavioral complaints are irritability, depressed mood, increased appetite, and forgetfulness.  If these symptoms are occurring throughout the cycle as opposed to the latter half of the cycle, it does not qualify as PMS.

Women with PMDD, which is a more serious form of PMS, typically have symptoms that accompany depression.  However, the key is the timing.  The symptoms appear usually one week prior to the period and resolve within a few days after the period starts.  These symptoms include hopelessness, anxiety, unstable mood, anger, irritability, social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, sleep disturbances, tearfulness, increased interpersonal conflicts, and feeling overwhelmed.   Most women then have a symptom free interval of approximately one week.  It is possible to suffer from depression and PMDD, and one can exacerbate the other.

Several treatments exist for PMS.  Oral contraceptives such as Yaz® have been proven to improve PMS symptoms.  It is possible that other pills would also have a beneficial effect, but those studies have not been done.  Antidepressants have consistently improved PMS and PMDD symptoms, however most women do not require these medications to manage their symptoms.  Many women use herbal supplements, relaxation techniques, and exercise to alleviate their PMS.

If you feel that you are suffering from PMS or PMDD, you may want to discuss this with your doctor.  They will likely ask you to keep a log to track your symptoms and see when they occur in correlation with your cycle.  If warranted, your doctor may recommend medication.