Treatment for PMDD
Treatment for PMDD
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms occur regularly in the second half of the cycle and end when menstruation begins or shortly thereafter. Both PMDD and PMS share symptoms in common that include depression, anxiety, tension, irritability and moodiness. What sets PMDD apart is its severity.
And just like PMS, many of the same strategies used to treat PMS may also be helpful in relieving symptoms of PMDD.
Healthy Eating and Dieting. Many health experts recommend that women with PMDD watch what they eat. Here are some of the most common recommendations:
- Limit intake of alcohol, caffeine, salt, tobacco and refined sugar
- Increase intake of complex carbohydrates and protein
- Avoid overeating and weight gain
- Consider frequent small meals.
Good nutrition and supplementsare commonly used to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Vitamins and minerals such as calcium, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and magnesium may be recommended. When used in conservative amounts vitamin and mineral supplements appear safe, but their effectiveness for treating PMDD remains to be established. There is no good evidence to support the theory that PMS or PMDD is caused by a deficiency of vitamins or minerals.
Exercise. Regular aerobic exercise appears to have a beneficial effect on premenstrual symptoms and some studies have shown it helpful for treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Walking or swimming appears to improve premenstrual symptoms.
Medications for PMDD. There is no shortage of medications that have been used to treat premenstrual symptoms -- some by prescription only and others over-the-counter. Several antidepressants may be used to treat PMDD. There are three drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of PMDD: Sarafem, Paxil CR, and Zoloft. These antidepressants can relieve the symptoms of PMDD. Other antidepressants have also been effective in relieving symptoms of PMDD. Before taking any of these medications, it is best to consult with your doctor.
Some over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) may help some symptoms such as headache, breast tenderness, backache, and cramping. Diuretics, or water pills, can help with fluid retention and bloating.
Hormones can be used to treat PMDD. Ovulation can be stopped either using medication or surgically (as a last resort). Medicines used to stop ovulation include birth control pills, Danazol, Zoladex, Synarel, and Lupron. The second hormonal approach to treat PMDD is the use of progesterone or estrogen to relieve symptoms. It's unclear whether this approach is effective.
Therapy. There are other ways to help women with PMDD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves 12 or so weekly sessions that deal with correcting dysfunctional negative thoughts and developing effective coping strategies. Several research studies have found this to be a promising treatment for PMS and, perhaps, for PMDD. There are many other approaches that have been used to treat premenstrual syndrome (like reflexology, yoga, sleep regulation and meditation). These approaches have not been adequately studied as PMDD treatments, but some women who use them find them helpful.
