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Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
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PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER AT HCA HEALTHCARE UK
Why choose us?
We understand that premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) can have a huge physical and emotional impact on your life, every month. We’re here to listen and help you in every way we can.
At HCA UK, you’ll get dedicated one-on-one care from experienced PMDD experts, who can provide targeted treatment and advice to help you manage your condition more effectively. We have a dedicated women’s health centre which offers extended appointments, so you’ll have all the time and space you need to talk about your PMDD symptoms and any concerns in full.
PMDD affects around 1.6% of women and girls globally1. It’s a rare and more serious form of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) that has significant physical and emotional symptoms. In the weeks leading up to your period, PMDD can cause feelings of anxiety and depression, often in combination with aches, bloating and other kinds of physical discomfort.
We understand that PMDD can severely impact your life every month, and our dedicated teams are here to provide individual treatment that can help you.
1 https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-01-30-new-data-shows-prevalence-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder
PMDD affects everyone differently, and your own experience will be unique to you, but symptoms usually appear a week or two before your period and then recede a few days before it starts. Your physical symptoms might include breast tenderness, joint or muscle aches, headaches and bloating. These might combine with emotional symptoms, such as:
- Feeling sad or tearful
- Feeling anxious, tense or irritable
- Mood swings or conflict with others
- Low energy
- Reduced interest in things you enjoy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
- Changes in appetite
- Insomnia
- Conflict with others
- Suicidal feelings
PMDD is connected to your menstrual cycle, so the symptoms typically go away during pregnancy or when you reach menopause.
Any of these symptoms can be hugely impactful, and make it hard to go to work, enjoy your social life or just carry out your normal, day-to-day activities.
If you're having suicidal feelings, you should seek help from a mental health professional as soon as possible. They’ll be able to give you an accurate diagnosis and suggest treatment options.
The precise cause of PMDD isn’t fully understood yet. Research suggests that if you’re more sensitive to the regular hormone changes of your menstrual cycle, it may reduce your serotonin levels. Serotonin is the brain chemical that regulates your mood, hunger and sleep, so a lower level can have a significant impact on how you feel.
There are other factors that might increase your risk of PMDD, or make your symptoms worse:
• Pre-existing anxiety or depression
• A family history of PMDD
• Personal trauma or stress
• Smoking
Our consultants can help you understand how PMDD affects you and give you specific advice on managing it.
Need to talk about PMDD?
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Are you worried about PMDD?
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PMDD TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
We’re here to listen and help
While there’s no specific clinical test for PMDD diagnosis, your team will take time to look at your physical and mental symptoms in detail and see how they relate to your menstrual cycle. They’ll also assess the severity of your condition and talk you through potential solutions that can help you get back to a more balanced life.
- Appointments within 24 hours
- Extended appointments
- PMS and PMDD subspecialists
- Dedicated women's health centres
- Holistic care, including psychology
PMDD TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
For a comfortable, confident future
We want you to be able to live your life without constantly worrying about the impact of PMDD. That might be as simple as making changes in the way you live day-to-day, taking medication or having a course of therapy. In rare cases, PMDD can be treated with surgery.
You’ll be looked after with care and consideration by a dedicated multidisciplinary team. They consider your symptoms, your lifestyle, and whether you want to get pregnant in the future. They might also recommend holistic support, such as working with a psychologist, a physiotherapist or a dietitian.
Treatment for your PMDD might include:
- Lifestyle advice
- Vitamin supplements
- Talking therapy
- Antidepressants
- Oral contraceptives
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatories
- Hormone injections
- Surgery
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder FAQs
PMDD can affect you at any time from the beginning of puberty right through to menopause. You might begin to experience it from your very first period, or it can happen later in life.
The time between when you ovulate and when your period starts is called the luteal phase, and this is when you’re most likely to experience PMDD symptoms. It usually lasts around two weeks for most people, but PMDD is a highly personal condition, so that can vary.
For example, you might have symptoms every day during your luteal phase, or on just a few of them. Your team understands how different each condition can be, and they’ll take care to tailor any treatment specifically to you.
The time between when you ovulate and when your period starts is called the luteal phase, and this is when you’re most likely to experience PMDD symptoms. It usually lasts around two weeks for most people, but PMDD is a highly personal condition, so that can vary.
For example, you might have symptoms every day during your luteal phase, or on just a few of them. Your team understands how different each condition can be, and they’ll take care to tailor any treatment specifically to you.
Some of the symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, are very common, and aren’t automatically linked to your period. This can make PMDD difficult to diagnose.
But if you're struggling with symptoms that happen regularly every month, get in touch with us as soon as possible, and our women’s health specialists will be able to find out if PMDD is the problem, even if you’ve been diagnosed differently or dismissed before. If you're experiencing extreme anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts then get in touch with us immediately or seek emergency help.
But if you're struggling with symptoms that happen regularly every month, get in touch with us as soon as possible, and our women’s health specialists will be able to find out if PMDD is the problem, even if you’ve been diagnosed differently or dismissed before. If you're experiencing extreme anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts then get in touch with us immediately or seek emergency help.
If PMDD isn’t treated, it can have chronic and severely debilitating impact. That means it’s classed as a disability in the UK under the Equality Act 2010. So your employers should make reasonable adjustments to accommodate you, such as allowing you to work flexibly when your symptoms are at their worst.
Some medical professionals describe PMDD as an endocrine disorder, since it relates to your hormones. However, due to its effects on your brain chemicals, it's also classed as a mental health problem in official diagnosis guidelines.
Your experience of PMDD is highly personal, and how you talk about it is entirely your choice. Our specialists are here to make sure you get the specific, personal treatment and support you need, whatever your circumstances.
Your experience of PMDD is highly personal, and how you talk about it is entirely your choice. Our specialists are here to make sure you get the specific, personal treatment and support you need, whatever your circumstances.
“Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed. At HCA UK, we've seen how an accurate diagnosis and personalised, holistic treatment can change lives. Our exceptional facilities and women’s health specialists empower patients with the care and support they need.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.