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PMDD Diagnosis

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that causes women to experience physical and emotional symptoms a week before their menstrual period, according to Familydoctor.org. Although PMDD interferes with women's ability to function regularly, it is often difficult to diagnose.

  1. Symptoms

    • You may have PMDD if you experience intense sadness, anger, anxiety, problems concentrating, changes in sleep patterns, tiredness, joint pain, appetite changes, insomnia, bloating and/or mood swings before your period.

    Physical Examination

    • A doctor usually performs a physical examination and medical history to rule out other possible causes of a patient's symptoms, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, depression or migraines.

    Pelvic Exam

    • When a woman is examined for PMDD, her doctor often also performs a pelvic exam to find out if she has another health problem, such as an infection or a sexually transmitted disease, that could cause her symptoms.

    Calendar

    • Some doctors have patients keep a calendar of premenstrual experiences---a chart where they track symptoms they have during different times of the month---for several months. This chart can show whether you only experience certain symptoms before and during your menstrual period.

    Self-Reporting Scale

    • To be diagnosed with PMDD, you need to have at least 5 of 11 symptoms during the week before your menstrual period for at least a year. You can use the daily symptom report scale to rate the intensity of your symptoms and get a sense of whether you might have PMDD, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

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