PMS & PMDD

PMS

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterised by a wide range of symptoms including mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and headaches that may occur in the lead up to a woman’s menstrual period.

There are several different types of PMS:

• PMS-A (anxiety) - linked to high oestrogen and low progesterone levels, and characterised by anxiety, mood swings, irritability and nervous tension.
• PMS-C (craving) - characterised by cravings, increased appetite, dizziness, headaches and fatigue.
• PMS-D (depression) - characterised by depression, crying, poor cognitive function and insomnia.
• PMS-H (hyperhydration) - characterised by fluid retention, weight gain, swollen extremities, breast tenderness and abdominal bloating.
• PMS-P (pain) - characterised by menstrual pain.

PMDD

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe, often debilitating extension of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that causes extreme mood shifts.