PMDD treatment in Cardiff
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you already know what PMDD feels like, even if no one has ever given it a name. The dread that arrives a week or two before your period. The sense that you are not quite yourself, and haven’t been for years. The exhaustion of wondering whether it is all in your head.
It isn’t. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a real, recognised hormonal condition, and you deserve care from someone who takes it seriously and has the time to listen properly.
What is PMDD?
PMDD is a much more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms typically appear in the week or two before your period and lift within a few days of bleeding starting, only to return again the following month.
The exact cause of PMDD is not known, but it is thought to involve an unusual response in the brain to the natural rise and fall of oestrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle. PMDD is recognised by the World Health Organization and affects an estimated 5 to 8 percent of women of reproductive age.
Common symptoms
The emotional symptoms can include depressed mood, sadness, hopelessness or feelings of worthlessness; increased anxiety, tension, or the feeling of being on edge all the time; mood swings; self-critical thoughts and increased sensitivity to rejection; frequent or sudden tearfulness; increased irritability, anger, or both; feelings of being overwhelmed or out of control; conflict with family, coworkers or friends; decreased interest in normal activities; and concentration problems. In more severe cases, some women experience thoughts of suicide or self-harm. If this is something you are experiencing, please know that PMDD is treatable, and that help is available — you can speak to your GP, contact NHS 111, or call the Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.
There are physical symptoms too, such as fatigue, lethargy or lack of energy; changes in appetite (binge eating, overeating, or cravings for certain foods); changes in sleep (sleeping too much or struggling to sleep); breast swelling or tenderness; headaches; joint or muscle aches; weight gain; and bloating.
How I can help?
PMDD is diagnosed clinically, by tracking the pattern of your symptoms across at least two menstrual cycles. There is no single blood test that confirms it, but there is a clear, recognised pattern, and I can help you map it.
During your initial consultation, we’ll take a full history of your symptoms, your cycle, and how PMDD has been affecting your life. I’ll talk you through the diagnostic criteria and how they apply to you, explore the options that may help, and together we’ll agree a treatment plan that fits your symptoms, your preferences, and your wider health.
PMDD is rarely something that settles quickly. It often takes a few cycles to find the right approach, and that’s why direct access to me between appointments matters. You are welcome to email me when something isn’t working, and we can adjust without waiting months for another consultation.
“I’m not sure if I have PMDD”
If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing is PMDD, severe PMS, perimenopause, or something else, a £20 discovery call is a gentle way to begin. In 10 minutes, we can talk briefly about what has been happening and decide together whether a full consultation is the right next step.
If you go on to book an initial consultation, the £20 is deducted from your fee.
Book A Discovery Call book Appointment