One question I get all the time is: can PMDD be cured? This condition is complex, with multiple factors contributing to your experience. But that being said, there is a lot we can do to address your PMDD symptoms.
What is PMDD?
PMDD or pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder is a condition where you experience severe symptoms in the 1-2 weeks prior to menstruating. Some may experience symptoms for a few days, whereas others will experience for the entire luteal phase of their menstrual cycle.
It’s estimated that up to 10% of females will experience PMDD. However, it often goes undiagnosed. In some cases, it may be misdiagnosed as bipolar or even schizophrenia.
The symptoms can be mental, emotional and physical in nature, including:
- An insatiable appetite
- Sadness, depression and hopelessness
- Worry and anxiety
- Other extreme negative emotions such as jealousy, hatred or rage
- Excessive sleepiness or insomnia
- Intrusive thoughts, thoughts of self-harm
- An inability to continue normal daily activities due to the above symptoms
There may also be some general PMS symptoms present such as tender breasts and bloating. But although it has some symptom overlap with PMS, it is far more complex and therefore harder to manage.
The different mechanisms of PMDD
To understand whether PMDD can be cured, we need to look at the potential drivers at play. Unlike PMS, which can be a simple hormonal imbalance, PMDD could have multiple causes.
Some of the contributing factors to PMDD include:
- Genetic issues such as methylation that influence hormone metabolism and neurotransmitters
- Impaired oestrogen metabolism that can be caused by gut, liver and/or gallbladder issues
- Sensitivity to one or more hormones
- Low progesterone/lack of ovulation
- Low BDNF levels
- Trauma – there is evidence that supports past trauma being a trigger for PMDD in some
- Inflammation
- Changes to the stress response
- Alterations to brain structure and function
- Changes to serotonin levels and/or sensitivity
As you can imagine, when it comes to PMDD there are different mechanisms for different people. It’s highly unlikely that there is just one simple cause with one simple solution.
The contributing factors help guide us with what needs to be identified and addressed. Some of the steps I consider with my clients include:
- Hormone testing to identify imbalances
- Optimising detox pathways
- Neurotransmitter testing
- Genetic testing
- Regulating the stress response to increase resilience to stress
- Diet and nutrition for reducing inflammation
- Ruling out other contributing factors such as histamine and nutrient deficiencies
So can PMDD be cured?
The good news is that there is plenty we can do to reduce symptoms of PMDD. However, you can retrigger the condition at any time if you’re exposed to the wrong factor at the wrong time.
Because of this, we can’t claim to ‘cure’ PMDD – only alleviate the symptoms. So at this stage, PMDD cannot be considered ‘cured’. However, you can reduce your symptoms to a point where you can be considered in partial or full remission.
The goal is to improve your quality of life and stop symptoms from impacting on your daily activities, your relationships, your work and your overall enjoyment of life. That’s why I highly recommend getting support to lessen your symptoms and address the driving factors for your PMDD.
Need some support and guidance when it comes to your cycle?
If you want to understand and calm your PMDD, PMS and monthly mood symptoms once and for all, I invite you to join our FREE monthly Calm Cycle Circle here.
