PMS Versus PMDD: How They Both Are Different?

Headaches, mood swings, depression, hot flashes, muscle pain, bouts of rage, insomnia, extreme fatigue, anxiety, irritability, appetite changes, difficulty concentrating, breast tenderness, feelings of hopelessness, decreased interest in usual activities, suicidal thoughts, cramps, bloating, irritability.

If you’re thinking, “hey, I have those symptoms of PMDD,” then you’re probably wondering if you have it. Remember the key to figuring out if you're experiencing PMS vs. PMDD comes down to: frequency, duration and the severity of these symptoms. 

PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is when you have 5 or more of the above symptoms of PMDD and they are hijacking your life and making it hard or impossible to function in your daily activities. There is no lab test for this, a doctor will diagnosis you off of your symptom history. While genetics are involved in PMDD, it’s not the only thing making PMDD worse. Outside factors like your environment and your lifestyle choices can take it to the next level.

Women who have experienced sexual abuse, have a history of trauma, or are under extreme stress will be at an increased risk for PMDD.

Being overweight can also raise the risk for PMDD. Which might be caused from fat cells (adipose tissue) acting as endocrine and producing estrogen.

So if you think you might have PMDD or have a friend you’re trying to help, keep reading. 

What we want to focus on now is natural treatments for PMDD that you can try yourself. Some of these suggestions you’ll have seen in natural treatments for PMS as well from past blogs, because in general our goal here is to rebalance your body. It’s amazing what having a balanced system can do for your overall health and happiness.

It doesn’t matter if you’re doing jumping jacks or dancing, cycling or going on fast walks or even slow walks but you need at least 30 minutes a day.

Getting your body moving is something I can’t say enough about, find something you love and get grooving. Try taking those two 15 minute work breaks and exercising then.

I never cared much for it until I tried it myself. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce symptoms of PMS and PMDD by 50%.

Helps with irritability, mood, insomnia, fatigue. You can also find this vitamin in foods like salmon, avocado and chickpeas.

Can help with cramps, bloating, sore breasts, and help with your mood. You can find magnesium in nuts, Tempeh, sesame seeds, and leafy greens.

Can be found in Avocados, nuts, shrimp and you can even buy a vitamin E oil. Vitamin E helps reduce prostaglandin which can help with menstrual cramps.

Used for thousands of years and only recently tested and validated by science, this herb helps with irregular periods, painful periods, breast tenderness and menopause symptoms. This herb stimulates certain systems in the body and this naturally helps balance your hormones.

A supplement with a combination of vitamins and herbs helping women with their PMS symptoms, regulating their period and improving your mood by balancing your hormones.

To help bring a more positive light to your life, it can help to do a cognitive behavioral therapy that can help you deal with anxiety, depression and personal relationships that are being affected by PMDD.

Xenoestrogens are hard to avoid, found in your general consumer products such as creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfume, hair spray and room deodorizers. These compounds, surprisingly have chemical structures similar to estrogen. Try to avoid these as well as endocrine disrupting chemicals in common household products. Trying buying organic meats and only microwaving food in glass containers.

Try increasing your daily vegetables, eating fiber rich foods and having a high protein and fat diet. Avoid sugars, refined carbohydrates and caffeine!

It seems like a lot but if you’re experiencing PMS or PMDD, know that your hormone imbalance is common but that doesn’t mean it’s something you have to live with. Don’t accept these symptoms as a life sentence, find a physician that will help, get a second opinion, try products on the market. Find groups like the S’moo Babes to talk to and get a support group! We don’t want you going through this alone.