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What we know about PMS and PMDD – and what we don’t
Summary
While PMS and PMDD are better understood than ever, there is still a long way to go. This article breaks down the facts - from the wide range of symptoms and treatment options - and the persistent myths that keep many people suffering in silence. It also explores how stigma and underdiagnosis continue to affect care, and why open conversations and community support are crucial to change.
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🌿 Key takeaways
PMS and PMDD facts and myths: what to know
- PMS and PMDD are real, recognised clinical conditions - not emotional exaggeration or personal weakness
- Over 150 possible symptoms exist across physical, psychological, and behavioural categories
- Effective treatment options exist - medical, non-medical, and alternative - and finding the right one may take time
- It takes an average of 12 years to receive a PMDD diagnosis in the UK - stigma and a lack of medical awareness are key contributors
- Talking, advocating, and seeking support - from healthcare providers, community, and those close to you - are all acts of positive change
The facts about PMS and PMDD
There are over 150 possible symptoms
Each person's experience of PMS and PMDD will be different. Symptoms span three categories:
Physical
Hunger and food cravings, hot flushes, breast, back, and joint pain, headaches, dizziness, fainting, cramps, bloating, constipation, heart palpitations, easy bruising, numbness in the arms and legs, nausea, and skin problems.
Psychological
Anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, low mood, emotional sensitivity, confusion, forgetfulness, and body dysmorphia.
Behavioural
Altered sex drive, sleep difficulties, insomnia, social withdrawal, and self-doubt.
Many management options are available
Finding what works can be a trial-and-error process - so do not be discouraged if the first option is not the right fit.
Medical treatments
Talking therapies (CBT, interpersonal therapy), SSRIs, combined oral contraceptives, anti-inflammatory medicines, pain relief, and diuretics.
Non-medical treatments
Dietary changes, reducing sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, regular exercise, stress management such as meditation and yoga, and targeted vitamin and mineral supplements including vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium.
Alternative therapies
Acupuncture, reflexology, and aromatherapy - which produce positive results for some people.
The myths
PMS and PMDD are not serious health conditions
There is a long history of female health complaints not being taken seriously. This perception is not only frustrating - it is actively harmful. It damages confidence, undermines trust in medicine, and in the case of PMDD, can put lives at risk.
Authors including Lynn Enright and Gabrielle Jackson document that doctors are still less likely to take female pain seriously than the same complaints in male patients. It is therefore unsurprising that it takes an average of 12 years to receive a PMDD diagnosis in the UK, and some healthcare professionals have even refused to acknowledge that it exists.
⚠️ Worth noting: PMS and PMDD are real conditions with serious effects for the people who experience them. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. You are entitled to be taken seriously by your healthcare provider - and if you are not, you are entitled to seek a second opinion.
You should suffer in silence
The stigma surrounding female health has long contributed to shame and a lack of education. When gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal surveyed people in the UK, only half were able to identify the vagina on a diagram, and 65% felt uncomfortable using the words vagina and vulva in conversation. A Plan International report on menstruation found that almost half of girls in the UK feel embarrassed about their period, while 14% did not know what was happening when they first started bleeding.
Talking and advocating makes a real difference. That might mean speaking to your doctor about something that feels difficult to raise, starting a conversation with a friend, partner, or family member about your cycle, or joining a community of people who truly understand what you are going through.
🌿 Good to know: Charities and organisations including Mind and the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) offer information, community support, and tools specifically for people living with PMS and PMDD.
Final thoughts
Evelyn is committed to driving change in the PMS and PMDD space - not just for those who experience it, but for partners, friends, workplaces, and families everywhere. The more we move this conversation forward, the more likely it is to shift norms, change standards, and ultimately deliver the solutions so many people urgently need.
Every moment of stigma-busting brings us one step closer to a culture where the health of people with PMS and PMDD is taken seriously - for the good of all of us.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional about any health concerns.
