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What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
11 December 2025
It is a more severe and chronic condition than premenstrual syndrome, which causes radical mood changes that can disrupt the lives of the women who suffer from it, as well as their family, social, and work environment.
The cause of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is currently unknown, but some clinical research points to the hormonal changes that occur with menstruation, which may cause a serotonin deficiency, thus affecting mood.
Although any woman can develop this condition, there are a series of factors that can predispose to it, such as:
- Family members with a history of depression, postpartum depression, or other mental illnesses.
- Women of childbearing age.
- Smoking.
- Alcoholism.
- Thyroid conditions.
- Overweight and obesity.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
Signs and symptoms Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Symptoms usually begin to manifest days before the menstrual cycle and continue for the first few days of the cycle, including:
- Anxiety.
- Anger attacks.
- Mood swings.
- Decreased sex drive.
- Migraine/headache.
- Crying spells.
- Abdominal bloating.
- Irritability.
- Nervousness.
- Difficulty falling asleep.
- Lack of concentration.
- Breast tenderness.
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate).
- Sadness/low mood.
In some cases, symptoms may increase over the years and last until menopause, which may require long-term treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
After the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and a psychological evaluation to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis.
As this is a chronic condition, the goal of treatment is to relieve or reduce most symptoms through:
- Contraceptives (birth control).
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Dietary changes, increasing protein intake and reducing caffeine, sugar, salt, and alcohol.
- Physical exercise program.
- Nutritional supplements.
- Psychotherapy.
- Relaxation techniques.
At the Neurological Center, a group of highly trained and certified doctors in various neurological specialties are prepared to treat you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.
Related centers and departments Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Fuentes:
- womenshealth.gov
- brighamandwomens.org
- elsevier.es
- wnyurology.com
- msdmanuals.com
- mayoclinic.org
- medlineplus.gov
- medigraphic.com
- Meza-Moreno FI, Pimienta-Alcaraz MJ, Vázquez-Valdez MF, et al. Self-reported executive function, and not performance-based measures, strongly associates with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Salud Mental. 2021;44(2):83-90.
- Alas HJA, Barillas RS. Síndrome disfórico premenstrual: tratamiento basado en la evidencia. Revista Médica Sinergia. 2020;5(11):1-8.
- Malpartida AMK. Síndrome premenstrual. Revista Médica Sinergia. 2017;2(11):7-12.
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The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.
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