Postpartum PMDD and Navigating Hormonal Transitions
by Camilla Brinkworth, Naturopath, PMDD Specialist & Founder of PMDD Naturopath and Camilla Clare Holistic Health
When I first started working with women experiencing PMDD, I began noticing a recurring pattern among new mothers. They would describe feeling completely fine during pregnancy, only to experience crushing mood swings, anxiety, and hopelessness a few months after giving birth — especially around ovulation or before their period returned. Some even said, “It feels like my PMDD came back, only worse.”
These stories are far more common than most realise. The postpartum period is a time of immense hormonal transition, and for women with a history of PMDD or hormonal sensitivity, it can trigger or intensify mood disturbances that closely mirror PMDD itself. Yet this connection — between PMDD and postpartum mood disorders — is still vastly under-recognised in both medical and mental health circles.
Hormones, Birth, and the Postpartum Crash
During pregnancy, oestrogen and progesterone rise to some of the highest levels a woman will ever experience. After birth, these hormones drop dramatically within days. For most women, the body gradually adapts, but for those with PMDD or an underlying sensitivity in the brain’s response to hormones, this abrupt fall can be destabilising.
Oestrogen supports serotonin and dopamine, while progesterone (and its metabolite allopregnanolone) calms the nervous system through GABA receptors. When both plummet after birth, it’s not simply a “baby blues” response — it’s a neurochemical shift that can lead to PMDD-like episodes of rage, despair, or deep emotional detachment.
In clinical practice, I’ve seen this show up as cycles of overwhelming irritability, intrusive thoughts, and exhaustion — especially once menstruation resumes. One client told me, “I thought something was wrong with me as a mother, but it’s the same feelings I had before my period years ago — just amplified.” Recognising this link is often the first step toward relief.
The Link Between PMDD and Perinatal Mood Disorders
Research increasingly shows that PMDD and perinatal mood disorders — including postpartum depression and anxiety — share common biological pathways. Both involve:
Hormonal sensitivity: an exaggerated response to normal hormone fluctuations.
Neurotransmitter dysregulation: particularly serotonin and GABA imbalances.
Inflammation and HPA-axis dysfunction: chronic stress or trauma heightening reactivity to hormonal changes.
This means women with a history of PMDD are statistically more likely to experience emotional instability after birth. But it also means the same root-cause naturopathic and trauma-informed approaches that help PMDD can also support postpartum recovery.
Naturopathic Care for Postpartum PMDD
The body after birth is nutrient-depleted, sleep-deprived, and hormonally adjusting — a perfect storm for PMDD-type symptoms to reappear if not addressed. Naturopathic care can help restore balance through gentle, evidence-based strategies that honour the body’s healing process.
1. Nutrient Repletion
Pregnancy and breastfeeding deplete minerals essential for mood stability and hormone metabolism.
Magnesium helps calm the nervous system and ease anxiety.
Iron and B12 support energy and neurotransmitter synthesis.
Zinc and B6 aid hormonal regulation and serotonin production.
Ahiflower® oil (a plant-based omega-3) helps reduce inflammation and supports emotional balance.
Rebuilding these stores is essential for stabilising both hormones and mood.
2. Thyroid and Adrenal Support
The postpartum thyroid is particularly vulnerable to dysfunction. Low thyroid activity — even mild — can mimic PMDD symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and low mood. In naturopathic care, I use functional testing to assess thyroid function alongside adrenal health. Herbal adaptogens and nutrients like selenium, iodine (where appropriate), and vitamin C can be invaluable.
3. Nervous System Regulation
After birth, the nervous system can remain stuck in high alert — especially for women with a trauma history. Practices such as Yoga Nidra, somatic grounding, or guided breathwork help recalibrate the stress response. In clinic, I often integrate Rapid Core Healing or Family Constellations to help women process deeper emotional layers that surface postpartum.
When the body feels safe again, hormones and emotions naturally begin to stabilise.
The Emotional Side of Postpartum Healing
Many women describe feeling isolated or ashamed when their postpartum emotions spiral. They’re told they “should be happy,” but internally they’re battling panic, rage, or numbness. It’s important to remember — this is not a personal failing; it’s a physiological and emotional response to profound change.
When we approach healing through compassion, nourishment, and nervous system repair, rather than through suppression or shame, recovery becomes possible. I’ve seen women move from utter depletion to calm, confident motherhood — once they had the right support.
Practical Steps to Support Postpartum PMDD
Prioritise rest and nourishment — your hormones cannot stabilise without adequate recovery.
Eat regularly to balance blood sugar and reduce cortisol surges.
Choose anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, legumes, berries, and seeds.
Limit caffeine and alcohol, which disrupt both hormones and sleep.
Ask for help — emotional regulation is nearly impossible in isolation.
Postpartum PMDD isn’t just about hormones; it’s about the whole person — body, mind, and nervous system — learning to find safety again.
A Path Forward
If you recognise yourself in this, please know you’re not alone. I’ve worked with many women who’ve felt lost in the gap between postpartum mood disorders and PMDD, unsure which label fits — and frustrated that conventional care offers little beyond medication or reassurance.
At PMDD Naturopath, my approach combines naturopathic medicine, nutritional therapy, and trauma-informed emotional healing to address the root causes of hormonal sensitivity. With the right support, your body can find its rhythm again — and your emotions can become steady, even through life’s biggest hormonal transitions.
Author Bio
Camilla Brinkworth is a naturopath, nutritionist, and Family Constellations facilitator specialising in PMDD and women’s hormonal health. Having personally healed from PMDD, she now supports women worldwide through her clinics — PMDD Naturopath and Camilla Clare Holistic Health — combining natural medicine, trauma-informed care, and plant-based nutrition to restore emotional and hormonal balance.