Living with PMDD: Why Getting Help Can Change Everything

sarah_yelland
3 days ago
3 min read

If you’ve ever felt like your mood completely shifts every month—where you're not just “a bit hormonal,” but truly struggling to cope—you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it. For some women, the days leading up to their period can bring overwhelming emotional and physical symptoms that seriously affect day-to-day life.

This condition is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and it affects up to 1 in 20 women.

What Is PMDD?

PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but it’s much more than bloating or irritability. It's recognised as a real and serious condition that impacts mental health. Many women with PMDD experience:

Sudden mood changes
Anxiety or panic attacks
Feelings of rejection or worthlessness
Anger, irritability, or difficulty coping with conflict
Trouble sleeping
Suicidal thoughts in severe cases

These symptoms usually appear in the luteal phase of your cycle—the 1–2 weeks before your period—and they go away once your period starts. That pattern is a hallmark of PMDD.

Why Does It Happen?

Interestingly, PMDD isn't caused by abnormal hormone levels. Instead, it's linked to how the brain responds to normal hormonal changes. A chemical called allopregnanolone, made from progesterone, can affect certain brain receptors in a way that triggers emotional distress in women with PMDD.

Some women may be more sensitive to these changes—especially those with neurodiversity (such as ADHD) or a history of childhood trauma.

Getting Help Makes All the Difference

PMDD can be incredibly isolating—but help is available, and you don’t have to live with it alone. Seeing a healthcare professional who understands PMDD, especially a GP or specialist with experience in women’s health, can open the door to tailored treatment options that are right for you.

Here’s how specialist support can help:

1. Accurate Diagnosis

Because PMDD mimics other conditions like depression, anxiety, or even thyroid problems, it’s easy to be misdiagnosed. A specialist will look at cycle patterns and rule out other causes to confirm the diagnosis.

2. Personalised Treatment Plans

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your treatment might include:

Specialist Hormonal Treatments to regulate ovulation, including options that minimise certain side effects.
Specific tailored Oestrogen doses specifically for women experiencing perimenopausal symptoms.
Targeted SSRIs, which may be beneficial during particular phases of your menstrual cycle.
In some situations, GnRH Injections or surgical interventions might be recommended for sustained relief.

Our Women's health expert GPs or specialists can help find the safest and most effective option for you—especially if you have other medical conditions or take other medications.

3. Support Beyond Medication

Specialists often work alongside psychologists, dieticians, or lifestyle coaches to offer a holistic approach. You might be supported with:

Mindfulness or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Sleep and stress management techniques
Tailored nutrition and exercise guidance

You’re Not Broken—You Deserve Support

One of the hardest parts of PMDD is how much it can affect your sense of self and your relationships. But with the right care, things can get better. The goal isn’t just to “manage” your symptoms—it’s to help you feel like yourself again, all month long.

If you think you might have PMDD, keep a symptom diary for at least two cycles and speak to a GP. If you are not getting the answers you are looking for you can always ask about referral options, contact the sexual health services or why not request to see our experts who specialise in women’s hormonal health today.