Bipolar & PMDD
1 in 4 individuals with PMDD are told they have bipolar disorder instead. Wrong label. Wrong treatment. PMDD is not bipolar.
Misdiagnosis delays effective treatment, adds trauma, and may lead to unnecessary use of antipsychotics or mood stabilizers.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder marked by cycling episodes of mania and depression. Manic symptoms may include elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, and risky behaviors. Depressive episodes involve persistent low mood, fatigue, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
Unlike PMDD, bipolar symptoms are not tied to the menstrual cycle and may last for weeks or months.
What is PMDD?
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a hormone-related mood disorder affecting about 1 in 20 individuals of reproductive age. It causes severe emotional and physical symptoms during the luteal phase, otherwise known as the premenstrual phase (after ovulation), and resolves shortly after menstruation begins.
Common symptoms include mood swings, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, and physical discomfort. PMDD is not a hormone imbalance, but rather a sensitivity to the natural hormone shifts in the cycle.
Can you have both?
Yes. It’s possible to have:
→ PMDD only
→ Bipolar disorder only
→ Both PMDD and bipolar disorder
→ Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME) of bipolar symptoms
→ Tracking symptoms in relation to your menstrual cycle is key to understanding what’s happening.
Key Differences
PMDD
→ Symptoms occur in a regular menstrual cycle pattern
→ On/off symptoms are tied to hormone changes
→ Fully resolves after menstruation
Bipolar Disorder
→ Symptoms can occur at any time
→ Mood changes last longer, not tied to hormones
→ May persist for weeks/months
Self Screen
There are no lab tests for PMDD, which means your voice, your tracking, and your story are crucial.
Use IAPMD’s Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs) Self Screen to help determine if you may have PMDD or PME. It’s also possible to have both conditions, and if you’re unsure, we recommend consulting an experienced healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.
This Self Screen was developed with a strong commitment to privacy and data protection, including HIPAA (US) and GDPR (EU) compliance.
📌 Disclaimer: This Self Screen Tool is not a diagnostic instrument for PMDD or PME and should not replace professional medical care. It is intended solely as a preliminary assessment to help identify potential concerns for further evaluation by a healthcare provider.
Symptom Tracker
Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs) cannot be diagnosed through blood, hormone, or saliva tests. While these tests can help rule out other underlying conditions, such as hormone imbalances or thyroid disorders, they cannot confirm a diagnosis. The only current method for diagnosing PMDD is by tracking symptoms daily throughout at least two menstrual cycles.
Because PMDD and PME symptoms are cyclical, it is crucial to understand your patterns, especially regarding ovulation and the luteal phase. Tools like the IAPMD PMDs Symptom Tracker. This downloadable tracker includes the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP), the gold-standard, clinically validated tool used by healthcare providers, clinicians, and researchers to help you see your cycle clearly and advocate for appropriate care.
Please print out these tracking sheets and complete them daily to capture how symptoms change throughout your cycle for at least two full menstrual cycles. Bring the completed charts to healthcare appointments to support evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning.