There are different types of PMDD, but remember that for the diagnosis to be PMDD, symptoms must be absent during the week following menses. Here are some examples:
- Symptoms begin at ovulation (mid-cycle) and worsen gradually as menses approaches and end shortly after menses begins
- Symptoms begin during the week before onset of menses and end shortly thereafter
- Symptoms appear briefly at ovulation (mid-cycle), disappear for a few days and then return as menstruation approaches
- Symptoms begin at ovulation, worsen and persist until menses ends
The symptoms of PMDD may differ from woman to woman. For example, one woman may experience anger and irritability, difficulty concentrating, overeating, insomnia, and feeling out of control while another woman might complain of depression, anxiety, loss of interest, fatigue, and sleeping too much.
Some women may have a medical or psychiatric illness that comes and goes. Unless it is linked to the phases of the menstrual cycle, it is not PMDD.
Also, some women may have other medical or psychiatric conditions that worsen during the premenstrual phase, so sometimes it is difficult to know if PMDD is also present as a separate disorder.
The main point: If you think you might have PMDD be sure to read through our section on how it is diagnosed and consider an evaluation by a qualified professional. Visit the "do I have it?" section
