Thanks for the very informative article, Rheyanne! I think the expert source for the article, Altenhaus, has a little more book knowledge about this subject than personal or clinical experience. So let me add my own expert opinion: PMDD is not really that new. There is published research about premenstrual (luteal phase) dysphoria going back decades. What is relatively new is the use of antidepressants to treat the most severe form of PMS, but even that has been around for almost ten years.
Also, some women may be confused when they read that PMDD occurs in the week before the period. Severe PMS can last anywhere from 10-21 days in my experience as a holistic physican treating women with PMDD and PMS. The textbook definitions say it can't be PMS if it starts before ovulation (day 15 of your cycle) but some of my patients' ovaries must not have read the textbooks because their symptoms started and stopped at unusual times.
Keep up the good work!
Dr. Daniel Heller
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Thanks for the very informative article, Rheyanne! I think the expert source for the article, Altenhaus, has a little more book knowledge about this subject than personal or clinical experience. So let me add my own expert opinion: PMDD is not really that new. There is published research about premenstrual (luteal phase) dysphoria going back decades. What is relatively new is the use of antidepressants to treat the most severe form of PMS, but even that has been around for almost ten years.
August 22, 2011 - 9:04pmAlso, some women may be confused when they read that PMDD occurs in the week before the period. Severe PMS can last anywhere from 10-21 days in my experience as a holistic physican treating women with PMDD and PMS. The textbook definitions say it can't be PMS if it starts before ovulation (day 15 of your cycle) but some of my patients' ovaries must not have read the textbooks because their symptoms started and stopped at unusual times.
Keep up the good work!
Dr. Daniel Heller
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