What Is The DIfference?

Is it PMS or PMDD?

What is the Difference Between PMS and PMDD?

Many women grow up hearing that mood swings, bloating, or irritability before a period are just part of being female—“just PMS.” But if you’ve ever felt like your monthly symptoms are far more extreme than your friends describe—so intense that they affect your relationships, work, or sense of self—you might be dealing with something different: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

Understanding the difference between PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) and PMDD is a vital first step in finding the right support. While both conditions are related to the menstrual cycle, they are not the same—and knowing how they differ can be life-changing.

PMS: Common, Often Mild, and Manageable

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) affects up to 75% of menstruating women. Symptoms usually appear in the luteal phase (the 1–2 weeks before bleeding) and may include:

  • Mild mood swings or irritability

  • Cravings (often for sugar or salty foods)

  • Bloating or digestive changes

  • Breast tenderness

  • Tiredness or lower energy

For most women, PMS symptoms are uncomfortable but manageable. They typically resolve once menstruation begins and don’t cause major disruption to daily life.

PMDD: A Severe, Clinical Condition

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) affects around 5–10% of women and menstruating people. Unlike PMS, PMDD is a neuroendocrine disorder—meaning it’s not caused by “too much hormone” but by the body’s sensitivity to normal hormonal changes.

Symptoms usually start in the luteal phase and stop once bleeding begins, but their intensity is much greater than PMS. Common signs of PMDD include:

  • Severe mood swings, rage, or emotional outbursts

  • Intense anxiety, panic attacks, or feelings of dread

  • Depression or even suicidal thoughts in the premenstrual phase

  • Extreme fatigue and brain fog

  • Digestive upset, bloating, or food cravings

  • Relationship strain and difficulty coping at work or home

PMDD is not “all in your head.” It is a recognised condition that can be debilitating and life-altering if left unaddressed

Why Misdiagnosis Matters

Because PMS and PMDD occur in the same phase of the menstrual cycle, PMDD is often dismissed as “just bad PMS.” Many women are told to simply “cope” or take painkillers, when what they really need is a more integrated healing approach.

Conventional medicine often offers antidepressants or birth control, which may ease symptoms but don’t address the underlying causes. In my work as a naturopath and trauma-informed practitioner, I see that PMDD requires a multi-layered approach—looking at nutrition, gut health, nervous system regulation, and emotional healing

A Personal Note

I know this difference deeply, because I’ve lived it. For years, I thought I just had terrible PMS. It wasn’t until my symptoms became overwhelming—episodes of rage, despair, and complete exhaustion every month—that I realised I had PMDD.

Through naturopathy, plant-based nutrition, and trauma healing therapies such as Family Constellations and Rapid Core Healing, I rebuilt my nervous system and moved beyond PMDD. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping women understand the difference between PMS and PMDD: because you deserve clear answers, compassionate care, and a path that actually works.

The Takeaway

The difference between PMS and PMDD lies in severity, impact, and underlying mechanisms. PMS is common and uncomfortable, but generally manageable. PMDD is a serious condition that affects both body and mind, often linked to nervous system sensitivity and past emotional trauma.

The good news? PMDD is treatable. With the right support, you can reduce symptoms, restore balance, and feel like yourself again—not just for a few days a month, but throughout your cycle.

✨ If you suspect you might have PMDD and want natural, compassionate support, you can book a consultation with me here.