You must be aware of PMS (Pre-menstrual syndrome). This is usually marked by mood swings, random episodes of sadness, and tender breasts a few days before you are supposed to get your periods. Not a lot of people need a proper treatment guide for this. Sometimes even a box of chocolates, an episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, and a warm hug can make all these symptoms go away.
Do you know that for some people it is not what they need? They may require special medical treatment to deal with their premenstrual days. This extreme form of PMS is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). It’s a severe and chronic medical condition that needs attention and treatment. Sometimes a few lifestyle changes and simple medicines can also help a lot.
PMDD is an abnormal reaction to the hormonal changes occurring in the body before menstruation. The hormonal changes in the body cause your serotonin levels to decrease. Serotonin is the hormone, responsible for regulating your mood. It is present in the brain and intestine, constricting blood vessels that result in a mood shift and some physical symptoms.
Treatment of PMDD
There is no specific treatment of PMDD neither there is a permanent cure to it. Still, there are several ways to lessen the symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Exercise Regularly
Exercise has the magical ability to keep everything that can cross limits in check. This includes your waist, your weight, your mind, and your mood. You don’t have to buy the gold membership of a gym to curb your symptoms of PMDD. A simple walk around the neighborhood and a short hike on a beautiful hill are enough to help you control your PMDD. Exercise helps by improving your mood in the long and short term.
Keep The Stress at Bay
Avoid stress like your most irritating relative in your premenstrual days. Follow the most basic steps to reduce stress like avoiding stress-triggering things, talking to a close friend, eating a satisfying meal, watching a movie, and dancing a little. Try to go for a little yoga or a mediation session to lower your stress levels.
Eat Good
You must think that only a full meal at McDonald’s will give you the peace you direly want. But science says otherwise. Eating too much sugar and salt can actually heighten your stress and other symptoms, and believe me your much loved McDonalds has nothing more to offer than these ingredients.
The best way to go is to achieve moderation. Give yourself a treat if you fail to control your cravings but stick to healthy foods at other times. Splurge on fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains.
Foods that contain complex carbs and lean proteins are scientifically proven to increase your tryptophan levels. Tryptophan is chemical that the body uses to make serotonin. An increase in serotonin might be the solution to most of your PMDD symptoms.
Go For Therapy
You don’t have to wait to get ill, to go to therapy. Therapy is essential even for perfectly healthy individuals. Start seeking help even when you notice the slightest symptoms. Special therapies like “Cognitive Behaviour Therapy” can be particularly helpful. This will help you overcome stress and teach you new behavior and coping mechanisms. Once your therapy is successful, you will know when a new mood or issue is about to set in. This way you will have some time to prepare well for it.
Consider Birth Control Pills
As your periods are determined by your hormones, so are the pre and post symptoms of it. Birth control pills can help control these hormones. There is a huge risk involved in controlling your PMDD with birth control pills. While in some people it can effectively control it but in some cases, it can make it worse.
Keep in mind that birth control pills control PMDD by stopping your periods completely. This is not recommended after the age of 25 and when you are trying to conceive.
Consider Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists
GnRH agonists prevent your ovaries from producing estrogen and progesterone. This too puts you on a temporary menopause
This can cause its own symptoms like depression, anxiety, and trouble concentrating. To prevent these side effects your doctor may give you some doses of estrogen and progesterone.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants like SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the main drugs used to treat PMDD. These can treat the physical and emotional symptoms of this disease. This specific drug increases the serotonin levels in your brain.
Your doctor will start you on a specific dose. Some patients say that perform well on the same dose each day while some have to increase their dose as they near their menstruating days.
The Best Way
Now that you know about all the possible treatment options for PMDD let me hare the best one. Simply consult the best Gynecologists in Lahore through Marham. This will allow you to lose all worries and let the best doctors handle your case. There is still one thing that you have to do, Never to lose hope.
Wayne Probert is a senior reporter at Zobuz, covering state and national politics, and he is a grantee with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Before joining Zobuz, he worked as a freelance journalist in Kentucky, having been published by dozens of outlets including NPR, the Center for Media.
