Can you have PMDD during menopause? - Vital Hormones Clinic

PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that negatively impacts a woman's life and daily activities. PMDD causes extreme mood shifts, irritability, sadness, anxiety, trouble concentrating, fatigue, changes in appetite, and physical symptoms like breast tenderness, bloating, and joint pain. These debilitating symptoms typically start 1-2 weeks before a woman's period and resolve quickly once her period starts. Menopause is the natural end of a woman's reproductive years, marked by 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Perimenopause, the transition phase leading up to menopause, usually begins for women in their 40s. During perimenopause, hormone levels fluctuate and periods become irregular before stopping completely. Many women experience unpleasant menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, and mood changes.

• It is possible, though less common, for women to experience PMDD symptoms during perimenopause. As estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall unevenly during the menopausal transition, some women report PMS and PMDD symptoms.
• However, once a woman reaches menopause and has gone 12 months without a period, she can no longer experience true PMDD. Since PMDD by definition is connected to the menstrual cycle, it requires you to still have regular or somewhat regular menstrual cycles.
• Some research shows that women with a history of PMDD may see their severe premenstrual symptoms continue or even worsen as they approach menopause. This may be due to the hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause.
• But once a woman is postmenopausal, she no longer ovulates or has a monthly menstrual cycle. Without a cycle, PMDD can't develop. However, some women report that menopausal hormone swings trigger mood and physical symptoms similar to PMDD.

If you previously had PMDD, some strategies may help manage any perimenopausal or menopausal issues:

• Work closely with your healthcare provider to find the right balance of estrogen/progesterone to stabilize your moods. Bioidentical hormones made to match your natural hormones can help.
• Antidepressants like SSRIs that increase serotonin may improve mood swings when paired with hormone therapy.
• Make lifestyle changes to manage stress and promote emotional wellbeing - therapy, meditation, exercise, good sleep habits.
• If you take oral contraceptives for PMDD, talk to your doctor before stopping as this sudden drop in hormones could worsen symptoms. Gradually wean off medication.
• Join a menopause support group to realize you're not alone. Bond with other women over shared advice, coping methods.

At Vital Hormones Clinic, we specialize in perimenopause and menopause care. Our compassionate providers offer customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help stabilize mood, energy, sleep, and hot flashes. We also provide nutritional counseling, supplements, stress reduction plans and community support groups. Contact us today to see how we can help you thrive through the menopausal transition.

In summary, PMDD arises from the menstrual cycle and requires continued ovulation, so it generally goes away once menstruation ends. However, some women report ongoing physical and mood issues similar to PMDD during the menopausal transition and after menopause due to hormone fluctuations. Working closely with your healthcare provider to balance hormones, making lifestyle changes, taking medications if needed, and finding community support can help manage symptoms.