PMS | DD
The days leading up to your period can bring a whole cluster of symptoms, physical, emotional, or both and for some women they’re mild, while for others they’re genuinely life-disrupting.
As a Geelong-based naturopath specialising in women’s hormone health, I help you work out whether what you’re experiencing is “normal” PMS, something more significant like PMDD, or a pattern that’s being driven by something else entirely and build a plan around identifying and addressing what’s actually behind it.
What Is PMS?
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) refers to the group of symptoms that commonly show up in the days leading into your period anywhere from a few days up to around 14 days before menstruation starts. Common symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, bloating, changes in bowel habits, night sweats, hot flushes, headaches or migraines, acne, irritability, mood swings, low mood, anxiety, brain fog, breast tenderness, and sugar or food cravings. Most women experience at least some of these, the question is usually how much they’re affecting your day-to-day life.
What Is PMDD?
PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is a diagnosed condition, confirmed by a GP, characterised by extreme versions of PMS symptoms, particularly mood-related ones that can significantly affect quality of life, work, and personal relationships. If your premenstrual symptoms feel disproportionate to what the people around you describe, or they’re affecting your ability to function in the lead-up to your period, it’s worth having a proper conversation about whether PMDD could be part of the picture.
How I Work With You
Treatment starts with understanding your specific pattern, which symptoms, how severe, and exactly when in your cycle they show up alongside relevant hormone testing where needed. From there we build a plan around diet, lifestyle, nutrient support and, for PMDD specifically, working alongside your GP, since PMDD is a diagnosed condition that may also need medical management.
FAQ
How do I know if it’s PMS or PMDD?
PMDD is diagnosed by a GP and involves more severe, often mood-focused symptoms that meaningfully disrupt your life. If your symptoms feel like more than “typical” PMS, it’s worth getting assessed properly rather than guessing.
Can naturopathic treatment help with PMDD, or do I need medication?
Both can play a role, and they’re not mutually exclusive - I work alongside your GP, and for some women nutritional and lifestyle support is enough, while others benefit from combining it with medical management.
Will I need hormone testing?
Often, yes. Timed to the right point in your cycle - this helps build a clearer picture of what’s driving your particular symptom pattern.
How long does it take to notice a difference?
It varies by person and by symptom, but most women start noticing changes within a few cycles of consistent treatment.
My symptoms change from month to month. Is that normal?
Yes. That’s common, and tracking your symptoms alongside your cycle over a couple of months can actually be really useful information for us to work with.