Get help now Make a donation

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Explains what PMDD is, including possible causes, symptoms and how to access treatment and support. Includes self-care tips for helping yourself, plus guidance for friends and family.

Mae'r dudalen hon hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. This link will take you to a Welsh translation of this page.

What are the treatments?

There are a number of different treatments for PMDD that have been found to work for some people. You and your doctor should decide your treatment together. The decision should be based on how bad your PMDD symptoms are, your personal preferences, and if you have any plans to become pregnant.

This page covers:

If you are trans or non-binary, your treatment options may differ if you are taking or considering taking hormone treatments. You can speak to your GP or specialist to explore what treatment would work best for you. You can see our pages on specialist organisations supporting LGBTQIA+ mental health if you are unsure of where to start.

It took me two years to realise that my symptoms were cyclical. My best friend made the connection. It's then taken another three years to get to a treatment that works. Looking back it seems like such a long haul, and I'm glad I'm this end of it for now.

Making healthy lifestyle changes

When you first talk to your doctor, they may suggest some lifestyle changes which could improve your physical and mental health. This may reduce your PMDD symptoms to a manageable level without the need for further treatment. Or it may be something you try alongside another treatment.

Possible suggestions they might make are:

  • getting more regular exercise
  • changes in your diet
  • getting regular sleep
  • trying to reduce your stress levels
  • reducing the amount of alcohol you drink
  • if you smoke, trying to cut down or stop entirely
  • reducing the amount of caffeine in your diet.


This will be different for everyone, as the changes you feel able to make will depend on your personal circumstances and experiences.

SSRIs

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) are a type of antidepressant. They are often the first recommended treatment for PMDD and are the only type of antidepressant which has been shown to work for PMDD.

Some studies have suggested that SSRIs may work differently for PMDD symptoms than they do for mental health problems such as depression. Your doctor may recommend you take SSRIs daily throughout the whole month or just during your luteal phase. It is normally recommended that you do not start and stop taking SSRIs suddenly, but studies have shown that for some people with PMDD taking SSRIs during just the luteal phase can be effective and withdrawal symptoms are not as intense.

If your doctor prescribes you SSRIs, they should review them with you after two months to make sure they are working for you. If they aren't, your doctor may suggest a different treatment or an adjustment to the antidepressants. See our pages on antidepressants for more information on SSRIs.

Before deciding to take any drug, it's important to make sure you have all the facts you need to make an informed choice. See our pages on things to consider before taking medication and your right to refuse medication for more information.

Carla

My periods became overwhelming when my dad died

Whilst I will most likely always struggle before my period, it has got easier. The weeks before my period are now manageable.

Read Carla's story

Combined oral contraceptives

Oral contraceptives (often just called 'the pill') may reduce the symptoms of PMDD by controlling or stopping your periods, but the evidence for the pill as a treatment for PMDD is mixed. Some people do find it helps to reduce their symptoms, but others find it makes their symptoms worse. The pill can also cause side effects and is not appropriate if you are trying to get pregnant.

Oral contraceptives come in different types with different mixes of hormones. It may mean that certain hormone combinations won't work well for you. As PMDD occurs during your ovulation, pills that prevent ovulation may be more successful in managing your PMDD symptoms.

If you and your doctor do think this medication might help, it is likely that you will be given a three-month trial to see if the treatment is right for you. You can find more information about combined oral contraceptives on the NHS website.

Talking therapy and counselling

To help manage the psychological symptoms you experience you may want to consider seeing a therapist for talking treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown to be effective for some people with PMDD in managing their symptoms.

Your doctor may refer you to an NHS talking therapies service (previously known as IAPT). These services treat various mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. However, they aren't available in all areas and the waiting lists can be long. You can find out whether services are available near you through the NHS talking therapies webpage. In some cases you might be able to self-refer to see a therapist.

See our pages on talking therapy and counselling for more information about different kinds of therapy, including how to find a therapist.

Painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs

Your doctor may suggest you take painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs (for example ibuprofen) to help you manage the physical symptoms of PMDD such as headaches, joint and muscle pains.

Although you may be able to get these without a prescription from your doctor, it's a good idea to discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist first to make sure that they're suitable for you.

GnRH analogue injections

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues can be helpful for some people, as they reduce the symptoms of PMDD by bringing on a temporary menopause. They typically come as injections.

This treatment should only be considered if no other treatments have been effective though. They can cause side effects such as loss of bone density, which puts you at higher risk of developing osteoporosis (a condition in which your bones become weak and break more easily).

Because of this, treatment is often limited to six months, and should be combined with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which relieves symptoms of the menopause and reduces bone density loss. If you're prescribed GnRH analogues as a long-term treatment your doctor should give you an annual check-up to measure your bone mineral density.

My symptoms took almost three months to settle down [after starting hormonal treatment] but now I am able to go to work every day and only have 1-2 bad days a month, which is much more manageable.

Surgery

In very severe cases your doctor may talk to you about the possibility of a total hysterectomy (an operation to remove your uterus) with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (an operation to remove your ovaries and fallopian tubes). The aim of this surgery is to get rid of your PMDD symptoms by permanently stopping your monthly cycle.

Some people may be offered a bilateral oophorectomy alone (to remove just the ovaries and fallopian tubes). However, this may mean having to take progesterone (a hormone produced during the second half of the menstrual cycle) afterwards as part of your hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which may mean you continue to experience symptoms similar to PMS. More information on HRT can be found on the You and Your Hormones website.

All surgery carries a risk of complications – and this surgery is non-reversible – so this would only be something you and your doctor would consider when you've already tried every other possible treatment and nothing has worked. The surgery would not be appropriate if you are wanting to get pregnant.

Vitamins and supplements

There is some limited evidence that certain supplements may reduce premenstrual symptoms. Some examples are:

  • Calcium carbonate – some research indicates that this may help to reduce the physical and psychological symptoms.
  • Vitamin B6 – this may help to relieve symptoms, but if you take too much it may lead to a condition called peripheral neuropathy which is a condition where you lose feeling in your arms and legs.
  • Agnus castus (a herb known as chasteberry) – some research has shown that this may help reduce symptoms of irritability, anger, headaches and breast pain. It is not recommended for use if you are trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding.


However, these are not officially recommended as treatments as there is not enough strong evidence that they can treat PMDD specifically. If you are considering taking a supplement it's important to speak to your doctor or local pharmacist first, as taking them alongside other medications or in the wrong dose could be dangerous.

This information was published in August 2021. We will revise it in 2024.

References and bibliography available on request.

If you want to reproduce this content, see our permissions and licensing page.

arrow_upwardBack to Top