What are PMDs?
Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs) are a group of hormone-related conditions in which individuals experience an abnormal or heightened sensitivity to the natural hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle. This sensitivity can trigger a wide range of emotional, cognitive, physical, and even cellular-level symptoms that significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Symptoms of PMDs typically intensify during the luteal phase, or premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle (the one to two weeks before menstruation) and subside within a few days of menstruation starting. This cyclical pattern is a key feature of PMDs, helping distinguish them from other mental or physical health conditions.
While the specific symptoms and their severity vary widely from person to person, many report debilitating mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, fatigue, pain, or trouble concentrating during symptomatic phases.
PMDs include Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME) of preexisting conditions.
Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs) include:
🔴 🔄 🧠 PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is a cyclical, hormone-based mood disorder and is also a suspected cellular disorder in the brain.
A severe, chronic medical condition that affects around 1 in 20 menstruating individuals. PMDD is not just "bad PMS"—it’s a debilitating condition that includes extreme mood shifts such as:
→ Depression
→ Anxiety
→ Irritability
→ Rage
→ Feeling out of control
→ Suicidal thoughts
These symptoms arise after ovulation and resolve shortly after menstruation begins.
🌀 PME (Premenstrual Exacerbation) refers to the premenstrual exacerbation/intensification/worsening of the preexisting symptoms of another disorder, such as major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, in the luteal phase, or the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle.
PMDs are not caused by hormone imbalances; hormone levels are typically normal, but rather by how the body and brain respond to these changes, particularly in the systems that regulate mood and stress (like serotonin and GABA pathways).
Understanding PMDs is critical for validation, accurate diagnosis, and compassionate care.
Both PMDD and PME are real, diagnosable conditions that deserve proper recognition, medical support, and community awareness.