This is more than PMS?

Oh, those dreadful days! You feel horrible, crying, explodes over trifles, and even a dog at the sight of you is hidden. Do you think that the reason normal ICP, and do not suspect the existence of yet another serious disorder: PMDD (Premenstrual depressive Disorientation).

Symptoms of PMDD is much more serious signs of normal ICP. They appear one week before the start of the cycle and almost knocked a woman out of normal rhythm. A few days after the beginning of monthly unpleasant symptoms disappear.

In any case, on the eve of menstruation a woman feels very bad. She becomes irritable, overly emotional, tired and prone to mood swings. There may be physical symptoms: bloating and breast tenderness. With PMDD, these unpleasant sensation is magnified, interfering with normal life and work.

PMDD makes a woman so irritable, that she lost all control over himself. However, despite all those nasty symptoms, many in this period continued to go to work and communicate with people. Woman is difficult to cope with outbreaks of anger, therefore, PMDD during her frequent quarrels with family members and colleagues.

Who is PMDD?

ICP suffers from at least half of women of reproductive age. PMDD exposed to only 3-5% of the fair sex.

According to the surveys, which involved 500 women, most aware of the ICP. However, 84% of respondents had never heard of PMDD.

Majority of respondents noted that it has the signs of PMS, but 45% had never complained about the doctor. Even those who have been heavy or moderate PMS, in 27% of cases do not go to the doctor. They ignore the problem, which is an extremely negative impact on their daily lives.

Some women over the years can not decide on what to discuss with experts of their condition. They are afraid of ridicule and do not want to sign of weakness.

Keep a diary

If you suspect that PMS or PMDD, consult a doctor and make a diary, which will record all your symptoms. Entries and help the patient and doctor understand which symptoms occur just before menstruation, but not in other phases of the cycle. This is important to not confuse PMS, PMDD from depression and other diseases.

For symptoms of PMS often hidden depression. If a tangible mood swings persist after menstruation begins, contact your doctor. Mental disorders (eg, the same depression) and chronic disease (diabetes, asthma) degrade with PMS or PMDD. Before menstruation all "sores" aggravated.

The exact causes of PMS and PMDD is unknown. According to one of the existing theories, their cause hormonal changes in different phases of the menstrual cycle. Recent studies have found an association between premenstrual symptoms and lower levels of serotonin - a substance transmitting signals between nerve cells (neurons) of the brain.

How to deal with PMS and PMDD?

Attempts to solve the problem with regular aerobics, reduce stress, reduce the consumption of caffeine and carbohydrates help with PMS, but almost useless for PMDD.

In the second case it is necessary medication. To eliminate sharp changes in mood and other symptoms of PMS is recommended antidepressants Class serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These include fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline. Perhaps the doctor will prescribe you the usual sedatives or other medications.

Effect of antidepressants, there is a few weeks, so if they help you, you should drink them daily for several months.

The test "Do you have PMDD?"

Pay attention to how you feel the week before menstruation. If you answer positively for at least part of the allegations listed below, contact your doctor for diagnosis of PMDD. From cycle to cycle, symptoms can be different, so before the visit to a specialist for 2-3 cycles in detail to describe his physical and psychological condition in a special diary. Entries can help your doctor to properly assess the situation.

So, you are experiencing:

* Irritability
* Fatigue
* Nervousness
* Bloating
* Sensitivity
* Increased appetite
* Sadness
* Breast tenderness
* The feeling of overcrowding in the stomach
* Sudden changes in mood unreasonable

These symptoms interfere with you:

* At work
* In everyday life
* The school
* In his relations with friends and family

Problems disappear immediately after the beginning of menstruation?

* Yes
* No
Rx Delaware