Almost all menstruating individuals have experienced Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) at some point. However, for approximately 5-8% of them, the days before their period are not just uncomfortable; they are debilitating. This is known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Understanding the Difference
While PMS includes fatigue, breast tenderness, and mild mood swings, PMDD is characterized by severe psychological symptoms: deep depression, panic attacks, extreme anger, or suicidal ideation that disappear shortly after bleeding begins.
A Biological Sensitivity
PMDD is not a hormonal imbalance (people with PMDD have normal hormone levels), but an abnormal neurological sensitivity to normal fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone in the brain.
The Importance of Tracking
The diagnosis of PMDD requires daily prospective recording of symptoms for at least two cycles. Bloom Private facilitates this vital process with total privacy, allowing you to generate a detailed clinical report that you can share with your doctor to get the appropriate treatment and support.
Preguntas Frecuentes
PMDD is much more severe and can drastically interfere with daily life.