Shelbee Asked…”How Can I Manage My PMDD?”

August 5, 2018 / 13 Comments

I am a woman who has suffered from moderate PMS symptoms since the onset of my first menstrual cycle at 12 years old.  However, in the past year, I have noticed an increase in the severity of my symptoms. Oftentimes, in the days leading up to my period, I end up losing days of productivity due to the extreme fatigue, debilitating cramps, and various other symptoms that sometimes feel like the onset of the flu. Rage and depression take over my mood all too frequently during these few days. To say it is frustrating is an understatement. It is an absolute interruption to my life. Knowing that I cannot possibly be alone in this type of suffering, I figured it was high time that I addressed it here. It is a topic that many may find uncomfortable discussing, but those are the topics that need to be discussed most. So I reached out to my friends at BetterHelp with my question, “How can I manage my PMDD?” Below is their response. I hope you find these tips as beneficial as I have.

Can Therapy Help You Manage PMDD?

by Marie Miguel

Don’t you hate it when people say, “You must have PMS or something!” just because they sense that you are in a bad mood? Or what about when someone says your symptoms are all in your head? It’s definitely enough to get someone in trouble, no matter what the reason! Even though everyone seems to know what PMS is, not many people have heard of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD. And it’s not just men – there are plenty of women who have no idea what it is either. If you have never had it or known someone who suffered from it, then you probably do not really know what it is either. 

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), also known as premenstrual dysphoria, is a mood disorder caused by a hormonal imbalance in women that happens in the 7 to 10 days leading up to a menstrual period. According to experts, about 10% of females are affected by this painful and sometimes debilitating disorder and they suspect that it is a genetic condition that worsens over time. Symptoms may vary, depending on the month or the person, but they typically involve:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Depression
  • Feeling irritable
  • Cramps
  • Tension
  • Headaches
  • Mood swings
  • Bloating
  • Bouts of crying for no reason
  • Muscle aches
  • Back pain
  • Breast tenderness
  • Sometimes severe debilitating abdominal pain

Treatments for PMDD

There are treatments. Of course, just as with other types of mood disorders, what works for one person may not work for another. CFAH offers expert science-backed advice from qualified medical professionals to help you manage any ongoing heath conditions so you can start living a rewarding and abundant life.

Unfortunately, some people who suffer from PMDD may not be helped by any treatment. To be specific, you may need to talk to someone, such as a therapist, to help you deal with some of these symptoms. For other symptoms, you may have to take some type of medication such as birth control pills or an antidepressant. First, there are some other things you can do for yourself to take care of you because that is the most important thing you should do. There is only one you and you are the only one who can truly know how you really feel. So, let’s talk about some things that can help you feel better.

Relax

This is easier said than done. You cannot just tell your brain to relax, nor your body, for that matter. However, you may be able to help convince your body and mind to be calm by taking a bath, meditating, or doing yoga. If these might be more stress-inducing than stress-reducing, try making yourself a cup of tea or dive into a good book. 

Exercise

Getting up and working out can be hard enough to want to do on even the best days and it’s likely you might be less inclined to do so when you are suffering from mental health issues, including PMDD (click here to read more). However, it is really true that any kind of physical exercise can stimulate your brain to increase the levels of endorphins in your body. Just taking a walk or even riding a bike can increase your serotonin and dopamine which are both known to relax your body and your mind. 

Talk to Someone

Yes, talking to anyone can help. Whether it is a friend, loved one, or a stranger, just getting things off your chest can be a big relief, especially if the person has similar issues. A support group for people who suffer from PMS and PMDD would be a great idea. In addition, talking to a professional is important in these cases because they are trained to help with different types of issues. 

Do you suffer from severe PMS symptoms or PMDD?  Have you found techniques that provide with you some relief during this troublesome time in your cycle?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.

This post was written by Marie Miguel.

Marie Miguel, Writer

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

*All photos (except author photo) c/o Unsplash.

 

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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13 Comments

  • Susan

    August 5, 2018 at 5:00 pm Reply

    A good Vitamin B Complex will reduce the bloat, bitchiness, and bouts of depression. (Not that you are bitchy, but I was and thats how I remember. B is for bloat, bitch and bouts) Take it before bed with something including Vitamin C (orange juice, fruit, Red zinger tea, etc) to help you metabolize it. Don’t worry about the color of your urine in the morning. Start taking it five days before your period is due, if you don’t want to take it daily. Continue taking it till the curse has ended.

    I also drank volumes of Traditional Medicinals Healththy Cycle Tea. Here is the link:
    https://jet.com/product/Traditional-Medicinals-Womens-Teas-Herbal-Tea-Bags-Healthy-Cycle-16-Ct/0264b53ab78d4f90ba688996e7098f0c?jcmp=pla:ggl:jd_cons_gen_grocery_a3_neast:grocery_beverages_tea_a3:na:PLA_1433080232_61676677848_pla-303545356258_c:na:na:na:2PLA15&pid=kenshoo_int&c=1433080232&is_retargeting=true&clickid=0ec1b516-3d7e-4306-8131-927a27b0317b&kclid=0ec1b516-3d7e-4306-8131-927a27b0317b&gclid=CjwKCAjwwJrbBRAoEiwAGA1B_b5eBLCeTW-sF0YI–h9PteEsHWVJGXyECQb7nQaOE5X5zMkdzh1WBoCRIoQAvD_BwE

    Not only does it help with cramps, it helps with everything, and it’s good, and not too expensive. I used to make an iced tea out of it, with some spearmint and strawberry leaves, but then I love to make tea, and I grow a lot of herbs.

    I made it through menopause with no hormones, and no drugs. I watched what hormones did to my mother, and researched herbal and vitamin supplements to avoid taking hormones. I wish I’d known all this when she went through menopause, the hormones they gave her took a huge toll on her. Not only did I make it through menopause with no hormones or drugs, but my menopause, and perimenopause were fifty times easier than hers was. Poor Mama!

    I also did some research on testosterone and estrogen levels, figured out I was making too much testosterone, (just from the symptoms I had) and started adding more soy to my diet, which was tremendously helpful for me. Everyone is different, so you will have to research that yourself. But I did better than the doctors, who wanted to throw hormones and other drugs in my direction. Also, when you are crampy, take ibuprophen, and if you are too clotty, take an aspirin. Just one.

    I realize you are only in your forties, but thats when my perimenopause started, and it was actually (for me) worse than menopause. Don’t listen to docs who want to give you hormones that is the easy way out. (for them).
    I think each woman needs to custom design her own treatment, for her best body and mind. I found other stuff that helped me too, through research, but that was 20 years ago, and I forgot some of it. I still have the tea in my cabinet though, and I will never give up Vitamin B. And taking a Centrum or One a day supplement is not enough. You need a LOT of Vitamin B, so buy it separately. It is water soluble, so you can’t overdose.

    Best of Luck to you Shelbee. Hope this helps.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 5, 2018 at 7:38 pm Reply

      Susan, thank you so much for this wealth of information! I am definitely in the throes of perimenopause. My regular doctor was ready to just go the hormone route which I declined. Then my gynecologist basically told me to just deal with it. Add in some exercise and healthy diet but he was adamantly against any kind of vitamin supplements, for some strange reason. So as far as the doctors go, I am done with listening to them! I definitely need to start exploring and trying some different vitamin supplements, for sure. I have just been riding the roller coast and I’m good when I am symptom-free, but then the symptoms come blasting in and I’mm like, “Shit. Why didn’t I look into all this while I was feeling good and energetic?” Every. Damn. Cycle. I repeat the process! Silly me, I all too often ignore my own advice and my own gut!

      Thank you again for all of this valuable information. I’d better get researching!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Dani

    August 6, 2018 at 12:37 am Reply

    As part of my business we have a range of natural products to help relieve some of the pain and symptoms that go along wit h this …theres a balancing cream which has wild yam in it amongst other things as well as a balance range and transitions for later on……Ive started my teenager on the balancing cream as I didn’t want her to be taking naprogesic and pons tan and all the other drugs that get prescribed( thats what I took)……theres also some good oils you can use to help …….plus everything mentioned above of course

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 6, 2018 at 10:38 am Reply

      Dani, thank you so much for sharing this information with me! Once I pull out of this miserable funk I am experiencing, I will definitely start researching what products will benefit me. I appreciate all the information I can get!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Dani

    August 6, 2018 at 12:45 am Reply

    There are some good products in my range that naturally helps with some of these symptoms …….theres a balancing cream with wild yam( ive given this to my daughter recently so I can help avoid drugs like naprogesic , ponstan)……also a transition range and balance range….for the different stages….lots of good results from women ….lots of relief without drugs

    • Susan

      August 6, 2018 at 11:36 am Reply

      Yes the wild yam cream helped me tremendously. There are many of them out there, and they are a lifesaver, honestly. Also, having a woman doctor was one of my best moves. She is my age, so we shared what we were doing to avoid hormones. I went so far as to consult a homeopath as well, which if nothing else, validated my distaste for hormones.

  • Lucy At Home

    August 15, 2018 at 8:06 pm Reply

    I’ve never heard of PMDD. I have definitely noticed an increase in mood swings & fatigue pre-menstruation, as the years roll on though. I think I will look into this a bit more. #blogcrush

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