Are you familiar with premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

A few days before the onset of menstruation, many women experience an unpleasant premenstrual syndrome. However, for some, these few days turn into a very difficult period associating depression, anxiety and emotional lability that can have consequences on daily life.

How to diagnose premenstrual dysphoric syndrome?

Premenstrual dysphoric syndrome is often confused with depression or bipolar disorder. Indeed, for several days, sometimes up to 2 weeks before the onset of menstruation, some women experience symptoms comparable to those of major depression with intense sadness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep disturbances, swollen breasts, headaches or weight gain.

The diagnosis, which is often difficult to make, requires consulting a health professional such as the attending physician, a gynecologist or sometimes even a psychiatrist or an endocrinologist.

Which women are affected by premenstrual dysphoric syndrome?

Studies differ as to the percentage of women who may be affected by premenstrual syndrome. Between 40 and 90 percent of women of childbearing age may be affected. In 10% of them, the symptoms can be particularly severe and disrupt all aspects of daily life.

What are the solutions ?

Still too little studied, the premenstrual dysphoric syndrome does not currently benefit from a consensus to treat it. Hormonal contraception could improve the symptoms, as well as a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity, yes a diet reduced in salt, sugar, alcohol and caffeine.

If you think you are affected by a major premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric syndrome, do not hesitate to consult your doctor or your gynecologist to talk about it and find solutions.

Find out more: “Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: diagnosis and therapeutic strategy” by Dr. Francesco Bianchi-Demicheli, Rev Med Switzerland 2006; volume 2. 31044, available at: https://www.revmed.ch/RMS/2006/RMS-52/31044.