Review, 2006
When mood changes seem tied to your cycle, is it actually PMDD?
No. Many mood and anxiety symptoms tied to the menstrual cycle are not genuine PMDD. When true PMDD occurs, its impact on quality of life is similar to major depressive disorder.
What they did
A review of research on gender differences in depression, including how depression presents differently in women and men, and how women respond to antidepressants.
What they found
Mood and anxiety symptoms that seem related to the menstrual cycle do not often represent genuine premenstrual dysphoria. However, when premenstrual dysphoric disorder does occur, its impact on quality of life is similar to that of major depressive disorder. SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) may be more effective in the presence of estrogen.
What it means for you
Not every mood dip around your period is PMDD. Many menstrual-related mood changes are normal. But true PMDD is serious and has quality of life impact as significant as major depression and deserves treatment. If SSRIs are used for PMDD, they may work better during high-estrogen phases of your cycle.
About the study
- Original title
- Gender differences in depression and response to psychotropic medication
- Authors
- Gorman JM
- Journal
- Gender medicine
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None - review article
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s1550-8579(06)80199-3
Topics
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