Do you suffer from PMDD?: The Stigma Around Periods and Women’s Mental Health

What is PMDD?

PMDD stands for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. PMDD is similar to PMS (premenstrual
syndrome) and shares some of the same symptoms. However, PMDD is a condition that is linked
to having lower levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain that
impacts brain cells that control mood, attention, sleep, and even pain. Women suffering from
PMDD can experience mood shifts that make their daily tasks difficult and even damage their
relationships.

Symptoms of PMDD

PMDD includes common symptoms of PMS, but usually they are more intense. The mood-
related symptoms of PMS are especially intense in those who suffer from PMDD, and it has a
severe impact on their daily activities. Symptoms for PMDD include:

• Feelings of sadness and hopelessness
• Anxiety and feelings of tension
• Extreme moodiness
• Irritability
• Unexplained anger
• Decreased interest in usual activities
• Difficulty concentrating
• Change in appetite (in the forms of overeating, or having intense cravings for specific foods)
• Lethargy
• Hyposomnia or insomnia
• Breast tenderness
• Joint or muscle pain
• Bloating
• Weight gain

Who suffers from PMDD?

Anyone who menstruates can experience PMDD. Up to 10% of women have this condition, so it
is relatively common. Those most at risk for experiencing PMDD:

• Have a mood disorder (anxiety, depression)
• Have a family history of PMDD or mood disorders
• Are overweight or obese
• Are under intense stress
• Have a history of trauma

Treatment Options for PMDD

There are a few different options for women suffering with PMDD. A psychiatrist or family
practitioner may prescribe an antidepressant. This medication would usually be taken from the
day of ovulation until your period begins. Lifestyle changes, like exercise, diet, and connecting
with loved ones can help you manage your PMDD as well. Studies suggest that nutritional
deficiencies can worsen symptoms.

The Stigma Around Periods and Women’s Mental Health

Women’s health is a topic that the scientific community has ignored for a long time. Most
women feel uncomfortable discussing their periods, despite their monthly occurrence in nearly
all women. Periods are often deemed as “gross”, and the same stigma surrounds PMS. Women
experiencing PMS are dismissed as “difficult” and “moody”. Their emotions are usually seen as
trivial and unimportant. This can make women feel like their struggles and emotions do not
matter. Women’s emotions during PMS and in PMDD are not a result of being “difficult”; they
are a result of the hormonal changes happening in a woman’s body.

Women with PMDD are especially impacting by the stigma around periods and PMS. In addition
to this stigma, there has long been similar attitudes about mental health. Mental health has
historically been dismissed and seen as “laziness” or “an excuse for bad behaviour”. This
impacts many women, as most people suffering with mood disorders are women. With both the
misconceptions around mental health, and around PMS, those with PMDD may have a hard time
speaking up, understanding what is going on with their bodies, or being taken seriously by
doctors.

The stigma around mood disorders and changes in mood during menstruation is tied to outdated
beliefs that mental health does not matter. Mental health is an important part of healthcare.
Physical and mental health are entwined, influencing each other in many ways. Mood disorders
like depression and anxiety are linked to or worsen chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma,
cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. Sleep problems and addiction are common in those
who experience mood disorder as well.

Caring For Yourself During Your Period

Whether or not you experience PMDD, most women experience some distress during their
periods. A Texan study found that women without PMDD experienced lower quality sleep than
usual during their periods. PMDD is believed to have a similarly adverse impact on a woman’s
sleep. Surveys conducted by the University of South Wales suggest that overall quality of life
decreases during a woman’s period.

Based on the research, a woman’s period is the most important time to take care of her mental
health. Here are some suggestions that will help women during their periods and during PMS,
regardless of whether they have PMDD:

• Eating a balanced diet
• Light exercise (walking, stretching)
• Connecting with loved ones
• Getting extra sleep
• Journaling about any difficult feelings
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs that might worsen mental health

Bringing Awareness

PMDD can be an isolating experience; that is why we at Fibra want to bring awareness to this
condition. We listen to women, especially as we develop our product, and are deeply passionate
about their health. Fibra is here to help with your cycle and give you personalized insights, so
you can take care of your physical and mental health.

References

Lancastle, Deborah, et al. “Development of a Brief Menstrual Quality of Life Measure for
Women with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.” BMC Women’s Health, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 14 Mar. 2023, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10011796/.

Meers, Jessica M, et al. “Interaction of Sleep and Emotion across the Menstrual Cycle .” Wiley
Online Library, Journal of Sleep Research, 21 Mar. 2024,
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsr.14185.

“Mental Health: How It Affects Your Physical Health.” Edited by Carol DerSarkissian, WebMD,
WebMD, 9 July 2025, www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-does-mental-health-affect-physical-
health.

Yeretzian , Shant Torkom, et al. “Evaluating Sex-Differences in the Prevalence and Associated
Factors of Mood Disorders in Canada.” Journal of Affective Disorders, Elsevier, 19 Apr. 2023,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032723004883#:~:text=The%20CCHS%20was
%20completed%20by,the%20needs%20of%20specific%20groups.