Ebb & Flow — pmdd

· By Kristen Scott Ndiaye

PMDD Explained

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a genetic condition related to a woman’s menstrual cycle that affects approximately 2-10% of women in their reproductive years, according to the IAPMD (1). Women with PMDD experience severe mood and physical symptoms usually starting about one to two weeks before the start of their period each cycle (during the premenstrual, or luteal phase) with symptoms subsiding within a few days of starting their period (2). Symptoms include (2): Marked affective lability (e.g., mood swings: feeling suddenly sad or tearful, or increased sensitivity to rejection). Marked irritability or anger or increased interpersonal conflicts. Marked depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness,...