What are the latest advances in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?

Here you can see the latest advances and discoveries made regarding Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

Latest progress of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that affects a significant number of women. It is characterized by intense mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms in the week or two before menstruation. PMDD can significantly impact a woman's quality of life, relationships, and daily functioning. While the exact cause of PMDD is still unknown, researchers have made significant advances in understanding and treating this disorder.

1. Improved Diagnostic Criteria:

One recent advance in PMDD is the development of improved diagnostic criteria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) now includes specific criteria for diagnosing PMDD, making it easier for healthcare professionals to identify and treat the disorder. This has led to increased awareness and recognition of PMDD as a legitimate medical condition.

2. Hormonal Treatments:

Hormonal treatments have been a mainstay in managing PMDD symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), commonly used as antidepressants, have shown efficacy in reducing the emotional and physical symptoms of PMDD. Recent studies have also explored the use of hormonal contraceptives, such as combined oral contraceptives and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, to regulate hormone levels and alleviate PMDD symptoms. These treatments have provided relief for many women suffering from PMDD.

3. Non-Hormonal Treatments:

While hormonal treatments have been effective for many, some women may prefer non-hormonal options. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological treatment for PMDD. CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, leading to improved coping strategies and symptom management. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, and dietary changes have shown potential in reducing PMDD symptoms.

4. Research on Neurotransmitters:

Researchers have been investigating the role of neurotransmitters in PMDD. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, has been found to be dysregulated in women with PMDD. This understanding has led to the development of targeted treatments that aim to modulate serotonin levels. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by increasing serotonin availability in the brain, thereby alleviating PMDD symptoms. Ongoing research continues to explore other neurotransmitters and their potential involvement in PMDD.

5. Personalized Medicine:

Advances in genetics and personalized medicine have opened up new possibilities for understanding and treating PMDD. Genetic studies have identified specific gene variants associated with PMDD susceptibility, shedding light on the biological mechanisms underlying the disorder. This knowledge may eventually lead to personalized treatment approaches, where interventions can be tailored to an individual's genetic profile, optimizing effectiveness and minimizing side effects.

6. Increased Awareness and Support:

Over the years, there has been a growing recognition of PMDD as a legitimate medical condition. This increased awareness has led to improved support systems for women with PMDD. Online communities, support groups, and educational resources have emerged, providing a platform for women to share their experiences, seek advice, and access information about PMDD. This sense of community and support can be invaluable for individuals struggling with PMDD.

In conclusion, significant advances have been made in understanding and treating PMDD. Improved diagnostic criteria, hormonal and non-hormonal treatments, research on neurotransmitters, personalized medicine, and increased awareness and support have all contributed to better management of PMDD symptoms. While there is still much to learn, these advancements offer hope for women affected by PMDD, providing them with options for relief and improved quality of life.

Diseasemaps

Treatment consists of taking contraceptive pills for hormones balance and antidepressants for the most difficult days.
Latest treatments include mindfulness meditation to control the cortisol levels in the body.

Posted Jul 24, 2017 by Limerencia 2070

There are lots of apps to use to help track your symptoms, and you can do online CBT courses to help manage your symptoms

Posted Sep 10, 2017 by son678 2000

Medication may be used for people with severe and debilitating symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line medication.[4] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four SSRIs for the treatment of PMDD: Fluoxetine (available as generic or as Prozac or Sarafem), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), and escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro).[18] Unlike treatments for depressive disorders, SSRIs do not need to be taken daily but instead can be taken only in the luteal phase or during PMDD symptoms.[3] This is because those who respond to SSRIs usually experience symptoms relief within 1–2 days.[19] Studies in rats suggest this rapid response to SSRIs is due to the elevation of the neuroactive progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone in the brain, rather than serotonin.[20][21] Luteal phase dosing can be started 14 days before menses and subsequently discontinued after start of menstrual flow.[18] People taking SSRIs to ease PMDD generally report >50% alleviation in symptoms, which was significant improvement compared to placebo.[19]

Although less studied, SNRIs have also shown benefit in PMDD. In a randomized, controlled clinical trial of people with PMDD, 60% of the people taking venlafaxine improved versus 35% on placebo. Improvement was noticed during the first treatment cycle with 80% symptom reduction.[22]

Another FDA approved treatment for PMDD is the oral contraceptive with ethinylestradiol and drospirenone, a novel progestin.[18] It has been shown that hormonal birth control containing drospirenone and low levels of estrogen helps relieve severe PMDD symptoms, for at least the first three months it is used.[23] The idea behind using oral contraceptives is to suppress ovulation by controlling sex hormone fluctuations during the luteal phase.

Psychotherapy Edit
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in PMS and is suggested as a successful adjunct to SSRI treatment. CBT is an evidence-based treatment approach for treating depression and focuses on the link between mood, thoughts, and actions to help patients address current issues and symptoms. When CBT was compared to SSRI alone or in combination with SSRI, groups receiving CBT had significant improvement of PMS symptoms. Through the practice of CBT, patients are better able to recognize and modify recurrent issues as well as thought and behavior patterns that interfere with functioning well or that make depressive symptoms worse.[24]

Alternative medicine Edit
There have been some nutritional supplements that have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of PMDD. In 1998, a placebo-controlled, randomized trial of 720 people with PMDD found that calcium carbonate demonstrated up to a 50% reduction in symptoms, compared with a 30% reduction in the control group.[25][26][27] Herbal treatments that have shown promise in PMDD include chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). Studies have been conducted on the efficacy of chasteberry and gingko, but as of this writing, no randomized controlled trial has been conducted on the efficacy of St. John's wort in alleviating PMDD symptoms

Posted Oct 22, 2017 by Deanna 2550

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by the occurrence of a constellation of symptoms temporally associated with the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of PMS include physical and mood changes that peak premenstrually and resolve shortly following the onset of menstrual bleeding. Historical descriptions of PMS are shrouded in mythology, and, previously, the scientific understanding of PMS was limited. The term premenstrual syndrome was used in 1931 by Greene and Dalton to describe a constellation of physical and emotional symptoms.15 The abbreviation “PMS” subsequently became a term widely recognized by the public and used by health care providers. The evaluation of PMS was hampered by the lack of agreed upon definitions or diagnostic criteria, and treatment protocols were often based on poorly designed studies. Advances in the understanding of PMS have accelerated in the past decade owing to increased attention placed on the definition and diagnostic criteria, the development of validated PMS calendars, inroads into the understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, and significant breakthroughs in therapy. The most recent scientific investigations have focused on patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of PMS with strict diagnostic criteria. To this day, the precise pathophysiology of PMS has not yet been elucidated; however, significant strides have been made in the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of PMS.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889854505701601

Posted Aug 9, 2018 by April 3000