What Is The Difference Between Pms And Pmdd?
For as long as there have been women there have been jokes about that time of the month
. Any time a woman is overly emotional, short tempered or hard to live with, it is an opportunity to say she has PMS. But for women who suffer from PMS and PMDD it is no joke when they are in the middle of a bout with these symptoms.
PMS and PMDD both refer to symptoms that occur for the week or two leading up to your period and can even last a day or two into the menstrual period itself. These symptoms vary widely and can be on many levels of severity. The major difference between PMS and PMDD is the severity of the symptoms. PMDD is the more severe and is usually defined as symptoms that interfere with regular function and daily life.
Up to 80% of women suffer from some form of PMS every month. However, only about 5% of women suffer from the more severe PMDD, during which their lives are interrupted because of the symptoms. Being unable to function in your job, at school, during social activities and even in normal relationship settings during the weeks leading up to your period is a sign that you may be suffering from PMDD.
PMS and PMDD both usually show up at about age 26 for most women and are marked by a worsening of symptoms over time. PMS and PMDD can also exacerbate other physical and emotional conditions such as depression.
The most common symptoms associated with PMS and PMDD are bloating, weight gain, breast soreness, swelling of hands and feet, aches and pains, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping and changes in appetite. In addition, PMDD usually includes more severe forms of these symptoms accompanied by psychological symptoms as well, such as depression, anxiety, irritability, decreased interest in usual activities, extreme difficulty concentrating, excessive fatigue, marked changes in sleep behavior and the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Other conditions that may be present with, made worse by or confused with PMS and PMDD include psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, panic disorders, and bipolar disorder. Physical conditions include anemia, autoimmune disorders, hypothyroidism, diabetes, endometriosis and chronic fatigue syndrome. If you have the symptoms of PMDD or other symptoms that you are not sure what to make of, see your doctor to be sure that you arent suffering from a more serious condition.
So, what causes PMS and PMDD? It is thought that changes in brain chemicals during the fluctuations in your menstrual cycle related to ovarian hormones cause PMS and PMDD. A strong argument can be made for this scientifically as PMS and PMDD are not present before a woman starts her period, during pregnancy or after menopause.
Recent medical research suggests that there may also be a hereditary factor that contributes to PMS and PMDD. As high as 35% of symptoms can be explained by genetic factors, and the link is even higher in instances of identical twins, supporting the genetic link theory.
So, what does all this mean? Are you doomed to suffer from the symptoms of PMS and PMDD forever? Absolutely not. The first, and most important, step is to be sure that what you are suffering from is actually PMS or PMDD and not another psychological or physical disorder. If you think you are suffering from PMS or PMDD, a visit to your doctor can help determine if you are correct. Your doctor can run medical tests to make sure that your thyroid, blood sugar, blood count and other levels are in the normal range.
Once other medical conditions have been ruled out, your doctor may want you to chart your symptoms for a length of time to determine exactly when and how they occur. Charting can be a very effective way to diagnose PMS or PMDD, because often conditions show up that you may believe are linked to your period when in fact, the symptoms are present all the time. In that case, your doctor may choose to identify and treat your mood disorder rather than PMS or PMDD.
The good news is that treatment can be very simple for most cases. Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can make a huge difference in symptoms. Make sure that you are healthy, get plenty of sleep and exercise and avoid abusing drugs or alcohol, all of which can help alleviate the symptoms of PMS or PMDD. A diet low in carbohydrates can also help and Calcium supplements have been shown to be effective in relief of PMS and PMDD symptoms.
However, there are times when lifestyle changes are not enough. If that is the case for you, your doctor may choose to prescribe medicine to help you manage your symptoms. Prescription medications that are often used to alleviate PMS or PMDD symptoms can be found on the chart below.
Class of drug Medicine Dose
Antidepressants fluoxetine (Prozac) 20 mg/day
sertraline (Zoloft) 50-150 mg/day
paroxetine (Paxil) 10-30 mg/day
clomipramine (Anafranil) 25-75 mg/day (14 days before menses)
Antianxietyalprazolam (Xanax) 1-2 ug/day (6-14 days before menses)
buspirone (Buspar) 25-60 mg/day (12 days before menses)
Ovulation suppressionGnRH agonist Lupron3.75 - 7.5 mg/monthly I.M.
GnRH agonist Buserelin 400-900 ug/day intranasal
Whether you are suffering from PMS, PMDD or some other disorder it is best to be checked out by your doctor when you have symptoms that interfere with your life. Even if your doctor simply suggested lifestyle changes and over the counter pain medication to relieve symptoms, you will have peace of mind. Keeping yourself in good physical health and taking care of your emotional health as well can be a very important part of diagnosing and treating PMS and PMDD. Even though the only difference in the two is the severity of symptoms, chances are that you or someone you know suffers from one of these disorders. So, even if you are one of the lucky ones who doesnt suffer from PMS or PMDD, using this information to help a friend can be a very appreciated gesture to a woman suffering from these symptoms.
by: Buddies Store
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