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 & nervous tension

• PMS-C (craving) – characterised by cravings, increased appetite, dizziness, headaches & fatigue

• PMS-D (depression) – characterised by depression, crying, poor cognitive function & insomnia

• PMS-H (hyperhydration) – characterised by fluid retention, weight gain, swollen extremities, breast tenderness & 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