If Your Mood Swings Before Your Period Feel Unbearable, You’re Not Alone

PMS and PMDD can make everyday life feel overwhelming. From anxiety and mood shifts to exhaustion, these common conditions impact the mental wellbeing of many people who menstruate—including youth and adults. At Camber Mental Health, we’re here to support individuals whose mental wellbeing is affected by PMS and PMDD. But what’s really happening in the body and mind during these times? Let’s break down PMS and PMDD, how they impact mental health and most importantly—how to find relief for yourself or someone you care about.

What Is PMS?

PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is a common condition where individuals experience physical and emotional symptoms before, during and after their period. Symptoms range from mild to severe, with up to 75% of individuals experiencing some form of PMS. A variety of factors can contribute to PMS symptoms, such as hormonal imbalances, chemical changes in the brain, vitamin deficiencies or lifestyle changes such as stress, diet and exercise.

Common Physical Symptoms of PMS

• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Fatigue
• Abdominal cramping
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Backache
• Weight gain
• Headache
• Acne and breakouts

Common Emotional Symptoms of PMS

• Changes in sleeping habits
• Changes in eating habits
• Moodiness
• Difficulty concentrating

What Is PMDD?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is a severe form of PMS characterized by intense emotional symptoms that can disrupt daily life. PMDD affects as many as 3.2% of menstruating individuals. PMDD symptoms are often mistaken for typical PMS, though they are significantly more severe and disruptive.

Severe Emotional Symptoms of PMDD

• Feelings of hopelessness
• Anxiety or depression
• Extreme moodiness
• Significant irritability or anger
• Feeling panicked or overwhelmed
• Frequent tearfulness
• Suicidal ideation

How PMS Can Affect Mental Health

While not as emotionally severe as PMDD, PMS still affects the mental health of adolescents, teens and adults who experience it. Recognizing the link between PMS and mental health can help individuals manage emotional symptoms and prepare for cyclical changes.

In Adolescents and Teens

PMS symptoms can feel worse for adolescents and teenagers because of the accompanying puberty, as well as limitations in treatment options. Furthermore, PMS symptoms can feel trickier to navigate for preteens and adolescents simply because it’s new! A changing body can bring its fair share of surprises, and it can be challenging to figure out how to handle new and unexpected symptoms. And combined with the other ups and downs of teenage life, it’s no wonder things might feel overwhelming.

Teens experiencing PMS may struggle with mood swings and irritability, impacting self-esteem, relationships and academic performance. It can feel embarrassing to talk about these challenges, leading to increased vulnerability to anxiety and depression.

In Adults

Adults are just as susceptible to the emotional toll of mood changes and fatigue on work productivity and social life. During PMS, a menstruating adult may struggle to concentrate at work or have moments of forgetfulness. They may feel more down and withdrawn, preferring to be alone rather than cultivating social relationships.

Adults with pre-existing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression may also experience premenstrual exacerbation (PME). PME is a phenomenon in which the symptoms of chronic illnesses and mental health conditions worsen as a result of PMS. Individuals with bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression and other physical and mental health conditions may notice symptoms worsening in the days leading up to their period.

How PMDD Can Affect Mental Health

PMDD is even more closely linked to mental health than PMS, as the severe emotional symptoms may exacerbate or jump-start difficult mental health conditions. It is essential to recognize the symptoms of PMDD because of how connected it is to mental wellbeing for adolescents and teens as well as adults.

In Adolescents and Teens

Adolescents and teens experiencing PMDD may experience very severe mood changes. They may feel extreme bouts of anger, debilitating sadness or complete hopelessness. It can be difficult to recognize these symptoms for what they are because of their intensity. Additionally, the impact on peer relationships and school performance is usually significant. Without treatment, PMDD can significantly impact mental health, increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts.

In Adults

Adults may similarly feel intense emotional distress, putting a strain on both their personal and professional life. While PMS can contribute to anxiety, PMDD often leads to heightened anxiety and a sense of being constantly on edge. Depression in PMDD is more likely to be severe and lead to thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide.

Some detachment is to be expected with PMS, but PMDD can lead to full detachment or dissociation, feeling a complete lack of interest in everything from career to hobbies to loved ones. All those things that might put you in a good mood suddenly feel too overwhelming to deal with. PMS is more likely to turn into PMDD in adults who have pre-existing mental health conditions.

Treatment Options for PMS and PMDD

Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to ease and manage the symptoms of both PMS and PMDD for menstruating adolescents and adults. PMS symptoms can often be managed independently, while PMDD may require clinical intervention.

These treatment options may help manage PMS and PMDD symptoms:

Lifestyle Changes

Regardless of which condition you are facing, changes to lifestyle habits may help mitigate symptoms. Here are some changes you can make to help with PMS and PMDD:

• Menstruation cycle tracking, using an app or even a paper calendar, can help menstruating people know when to expect their periods, allowing for awareness of when challenging symptoms may arise.
  
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet throughout the month with mood-boosting carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables
• Exercise regularly to reduce stress, feel happier and even ease the discomfort of some physical symptoms
• Practice stress management techniques like yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises to help with stress and emotional symptoms

Medications

Both over-the-counter and prescription medications can help relieve physical and emotional symptoms of PMS and PMDD. Options include:

• Prescription anti-depressants to ease anxiety, depression and other emotional symptoms
• Hormonal therapies or birth control pills to regulate or suppress severe menstrual cycles and ease symptoms of PMS and PMDD
• Over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil or Tylenol to relieve physical symptoms like cramps and headaches (in some cases, a doctor may recommend prescription-grade pain relievers)

Therapy

Therapeutic treatments or mental health counseling are especially helpful for PMDD or menstruating individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an especially useful treatment for helping teens address and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to PMS and PMDD. A mental health counselor can provide guidance for managing emotional symptoms and help develop coping strategies.

When to Seek Professional Mental Health Support

PMS and even PMDD can be independently managed in some cases, but in certain cases professional support can be crucial. Seek professional support if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Persistent or worsening mental health symptoms
• Difficulty functioning or performing daily tasks
• Suicidal thoughts or feelings

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs, seek professional mental health support immediately by calling the 988 Lifeline, contacting your primary care physician or reaching out to Camber for treatment options.

How Camber Mental Health Can Help

At Camber, we provide accessible mental health support for anyone in need of mental health treatment and support. Our inpatient treatment supports youth and adults experiencing PMS and PMDD-related mental health concerns, offering individualized plans, trauma-informed therapy and medication management. Connect with our admissions team to see if Camber is right for you or someone in your care.