Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a clearly defined syndrome that in lay terms is often referred to as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). As delineated in the. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition, five symptoms are required to make the diagnosis of PMDD, at least one of which must be a moderate to severe mood symptom. Symptoms typically begin in the late luteal (premenstrual) phase of the menstrual cycle, which is associated with declining estrogen and progesterone levels. Premenstrual symptoms typically remit within the first few days of the follicular phase, when estrogen levels increase as a result of ovarian follicular growth. The diagnosis of PMDD requires documentation of luteal phase timing of symptoms, a symptom-free interval from approximately day 4 of menses to the onset of ovulation, and symptom-induced functional impairment. © 2007