Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Patterns, Causes, and Effects

Abstract

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a condition that many women suffer during the later phases of their menstrual cycle. To clarify, it is nothing but a severe and less common form of Premenstrual Syndrome. A woman goes through the period cycle every month to prepare for motherhood as she grows older, but the side effects she may experience are not discussed enough since there is usually a discomfort attached to this specific conversation. Moreover, when considering menstrual conditions, most women surprisingly are actually only familiar with PMS. While PMS affects most premenopausal women, PMDD is a condition that can cause much more severe repercussions and has to be recognized. This research paper brings attention to PMDD and provides insight on the causes and effects of this certain condition. A woman suffering from PMDD does not only experience physical symptoms that can have an effect on her daily routine but also has intense emotional symptoms that restrict her control of her behavior. These symptoms can heavily strain a female’s relationships with other people and disrupt her work and/or personal environments. The treatment options available for PMDD currently are temporarily effective, and in fact, experts are still trying to find the exact cause of PMDD to develop a more permanent treatment for the condition. Presently, the best treatment options are SSRIs, and others include hormonal medications and therapy which are helpful in the psychological symptoms of PMDD. This paper explains the extent to which these specific treatments are productive and how they work.