Understanding PMS & PMDD

Do you ever feel like a completely different version of yourself in the days before your period?

Maybe you're suddenly more anxious, tearful, overwhelmed, or irritable—snapping at the people you love, doubting your decisions, or needing more space than usual. You might even dread this part of your cycle because it feels like a hijacking of your personality.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone—and you’re not broken.

What you're experiencing may be PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) or PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). Both are real, physical, and emotional responses to changes in your hormones and nervous system—not character flaws, and not all in your head.

What’s Actually Happening?

Let’s break it down:

• PMS affects up to 75% of menstruating women and includes mood swings, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, and food cravings in the luteal phase (the 1–2 weeks before your period).
  
• PMDD is a more intense and debilitating version, affecting around 5–8%. Symptoms can include panic attacks, depression, rage, hopelessness, and even suicidal thoughts.
  

But here’s what most people don’t talk about:
These aren’t just “hormonal issues”—they’re signals. Your body is giving you important information about your internal landscape.

Two Key Drivers Behind PMS and PMDD

1. Progesterone Imbalances
   After ovulation, progesterone should rise to help calm the brain and body. But when it’s too low—or when estrogen is too high in relation—mood-related symptoms intensify. Many women with PMS/PMDD have lower-than-ideal levels of progesterone or a poor response to it.
   
2. Blood Sugar Fluctuations
   Dramatic rises and crashes in blood glucose can cause emotional instability, energy crashes, and heightened anxiety. If you're skipping meals, eating high-sugar foods, or living in a constant state of stress, your blood sugar may be more like a rollercoaster than a steady track.
   

Together, these two factors affect GABA and serotonin, the calming, feel-good chemicals in your brain. Without proper support, it’s no wonder you feel emotionally dysregulated.

So What Can You Do?

If you’re struggling with PMS or PMDD, start here:

• Track your symptoms: Note when they appear and how long they last. Awareness brings clarity.
  
• Balance your blood sugars: Eat protein-rich meals, reduce processed sugar, and don’t skip breakfast.
  
• Support progesterone production: Focus on stress management, adequate sleep, healthy fats, and post-ovulation support.
  
• Regulate your nervous system: Create space for rest, play, and pleasure. A calm body is more responsive to hormonal shifts.
  
• Be gentle with yourself: You’re not lazy, crazy, or overly emotional. You’re responding to a real internal imbalance.
  

You’re Not Overreacting—Your Body Is Overloaded

When your body feels unsafe—whether physically, emotionally, or hormonally—it will signal for help. PMS and PMDD are two of the clearest examples of your body asking you to slow down, reset your rhythms, and offer deeper nourishment.

If you’re ready to understand exactly what your body needs—the Test Your Fundamentals™ Hair Analysis is your next step. It’s the tool I use to identify the mineral patterns behind symptoms like PMS, fatigue, painful periods, and more—so you can get personalised support that actually works for your body, not against it.

If you’re ready to learn more about the root causes of PMS and PMDD—and how to support your cycle with nutrition, rhythm, and the Four Fundamentals™—tune into Episode 22 of the What’s My Body Telling Me? podcast with Dr. Anthea Todd.