Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Depression and the menstrual cycle

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Alternative Names:

PMDD

Definition:

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a condition marked by severe depression, irritability, and tension before menstruation. These symptoms are more severe than those seen with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The causes of PMS and PMDD have not been identified, although social, cultural, biological, and psychological factors all appear to be involved. Researchers estimate that PMDD affects between 3% and 8% of women in their reproductive years.

Major depression is very common with PMDD, although PMDD can occur in women who do NOT have a history of major depression.

Studies have found that women who have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression characterized by annual episodes of depression during fall or winter that improve in the spring or summer, are likely to also have PMDD.

Review Date: 10/25/2004
Reviewed By: Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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