Mood Disorders during Menstruation

As many as 80% of women experience increased emotional sensitivity and mild-to-moderate mood shifts before their period starts. Called Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), these mood changes are generally manageable and do not cause disruption in a woman’s day-to-day life.

However, up to 10% of women experience Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is characterized by severe mood swings in the two-week period before menstruation starts. The symptoms of PMDD include: depression, anxiety and irritability, and may include physical symptoms such as migraine. PMDD generally subsides within three days of the onset of menstruation.