How to Cope With PMDD

Overview

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects a small percentage of menstruating women--between 3 and 10 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). PMDD is a more severe condition involving mood changes, physical symptoms such as muscle pain and breast tenderness, and changes in sleep quality and appetite. PMDD can be a debilitating condition for the women who suffer from the disorder. Medical care, lifestyle adjustments and a strong support system can help women cope with PMDD.

Step 1

Eat a healthy diet so that your body will get the nutrients it needs all month long, but especially when you begin to feel symptoms of PMDD. Food cravings, binging or a loss of appetite can all be symptoms associated with PMDD. A balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein and whole grains fuels your body and might help you fight the appetite changes and extreme lethargy that you might feel in the premenstrual phase.

Step 2

Cope with premenstrual dysphoria disorder by taking medications that can ease your pain, depression and fluctuating hormone levels. Ibuprofen or naproxen can ease physical symptoms such as cramping and breast pain. Antidepressants called SSIs can lift your mood and address the fatigue you may be feeling. Women who are not trying to conceive and experience PMDD should consider taking birth control pills. The hormones in the pills can help balance out hormone levels that are unsteady, helping you feel more stable emotionally.

Step 3

Minimize symptoms of PMDD by getting some daily exercise. The Mayo Clinic explains that exercise often helps women feel better during the week before their periods, whether symptoms are that of mild PMS or more severe PMDD. Exercise does not necessarily mean joining a gym or taking up a sport. It can be simply taking a daily walk around the neighborhood.

Step 4

Cope with PMDD symptoms with an herbal solution. Chasteberry is a supplement that is commonly used to address problems of menstruation, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). The herb is prepared as a tablet or a liquid extract. Consult your doctor before beginning any new supplements. The effects of chasteberry will vary from woman to woman.

Step 5

Surround yourself with people who can give you support when you are feeling low, including family members and medical professionals. The NIH reports that as many as 10 percent of women who suffer from PMDD have thoughts of suicide at the peak of their hormonal shifts and physical symptoms. Mental health professionals can lend an ear and counsel women who are having these dangerous thoughts to head off disaster.