{"id":27882,"date":"2025-09-23T13:38:48","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/?p=27882"},"modified":"2025-09-23T13:38:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:38:48","slug":"how-are-pms-and-depression-related","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/valuecare.wpgamma.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/23\/how-are-pms-and-depression-related\/","title":{"rendered":"How Are PMS and Depression Related?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/a><\/p>\n

PMS<\/a>\u00a0Depression or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of\u00a0PMS<\/a>\u00a0and is diagnosed by the pattern of symptoms.\u00a0PMS<\/a>\u00a0(premenstrual syndrome<\/a>) is a group of approximately 150 different symptoms that happen in the 2 weeks prior to the start of a woman\u2019s period. The symptoms can be both physical and emotional and are very real.<\/p>\n

Symptoms were once thought to be hysterical and only in the mind of the woman but after years of research scientists have found that over 50 million women suffer from these symptoms each month. These symptoms can significantly interfere with social, occupational and sexual functioning.<\/p>\n

For a diagnosis of PMDD to be made the woman must have a symptom free period during her follicular phase of the menstrual cycle to distinguish it from other pre-existing anxiety and\u00a0mood disorders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The features of PMDD and depressions have considerable overlap. Approximately 30-75% of the women diagnosed with PMDD also have a lifetime history of depression, compared to the 15% of women without PMDD who suffer from depression.<\/p>\n

Despite this many women with PMDD may not have\u00a0depression symptoms<\/a>; therefore PMDD should not be considered a simple variant of a depression disorder.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of PMDD must be present in the week prior to a womans period and must be relieved when menses starts. The American Psychiatric Association lists 11 potential symptoms of PMDD in the DSM IV (Diagnostic Manual).<\/p>\n

These symptoms are:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Feeling sad, hopeless, or self-deprecating
\n2. Feeling tense, anxious, or \u201con edge\u201d
\n3. Marked lability of mood interspersed with frequent tearfulness
\n4. Persistent irritability, anger, and increased interpersonal conflicts
\n5. Decreased interest in usual activities, which may be associated with withdrawal from social relationships
\n6. Difficulty concentrating
\n7. Feeling fatigued, lethargic, or lacking in energy
\n8. Marked changes in appetite, which may be associated with\u00a0binge eating<\/a>\u00a0or craving certain foods
\n9. Hypersomnia or\u00a0insomnia<\/a>
\n10. A subjective feeling of being overwhelmed or out of control
\n11. Other physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness or swelling,\u00a0headaches<\/a>, joint or\u00a0muscle pain<\/a>, a sensation of\u00a0bloating<\/a>, weight gain<\/p>\n

The goals of treatment are to reduce the symptoms and improve the patients occupational function. Lifestyle changes that often help to relieve symptoms of PMDD are increasing aerobic exercise, decreasing caffeine and reducing sodium intake.<\/p>\n

Psychosocial\u00a0stressors<\/a>\u00a0should also be addressed since stress is known to alter brain chemistry and stress related hormonal activity.<\/p>\n

Seritoninergic\u00a0antidepressants<\/a>\u00a0are the first line pharmacological treatment for severe PMDD. Although there are case studies for use of\u00a0herbal remedies<\/a>\u00a0there are no studies that have been approved by the FDA. Also, the manufacturing of herbal products is not uniform what is labeled on the bottle may not actually be in the bottle.<\/p>\n

Inducing annovulation and amenorrhea has also been shown to provide significant relief of symptoms with depression. However, these medications can also induce\u00a0menopausal<\/a>\u00a0symptoms such as\u00a0hot flashes<\/a>,\u00a0vaginal dryness<\/a>\u00a0and fatigue.<\/p>\n

The diagnosis and treatment plan for PMDD should be done by both the woman and her physician. Only the woman can determine the extent that the symptoms affect her daily life and how she can incorporate the treatment plan into her life.<\/p>\n

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