What is Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)? Symptoms and Mental Health Impact

What is Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)?

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) is the name of the symptom’s women can experience in the weeks before their period. Changes in mood, emotions, physical health, and behaviour can occur between ovulation and the start of your period.

Nearly 48% of women who are of reproductive age experience PMS, and for about 20% of them, symptoms are severe enough to affect their daily lives.

Many people may experience symptoms of PMS. But if you have PMDD, these symptoms can be much worse and can have a serious impact on your life.

PMDD – A more severe form of PMS

Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a more severe form of pre-menstrual syndrome. It causes a range of emotional and physical symptoms every month during the week or two before your period. It is sometimes referred to as 'severe PMS'.

Experiencing PMDD can make it difficult to work, socialise and have healthy relationships. In some cases, it can also lead to depression and suicidal thoughts.

About 1 in 20 of women who have periods suffer with PMDD worldwide and it has been known to worsen existing mental health conditions. According to the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD), 34% of women with PMDD have attempted suicide.

How pre-menstrual syndrome can affect mental health

Both PMS and PMDD can affect a woman’s mental health.
First, physical symptoms like trouble sleeping, fatigue, discomfort, cramps, and body aches can affect mood and being able to function comfortably in day-to-day life.

But PMDD can cause mental health symptoms as well as physical ones. These include depression, suicidal feelings and anxiety. For these reasons, PMDD is listed as a mental health problem by the NHS.

Emotional symptoms such as irritability and mood swings may also negatively affect you. The potentially serious symptoms of PMDD in particular - such as depression and paranoia - can also have a direct influence on the state of your wellbeing.

If symptoms make it harder or impossible for you to do something you want or need to, it can be distressing or lead to feelings of guilt or resentment. Some people may also experience a dip in self-esteem or the desire to isolate or withdraw socially due to physical symptoms or mood.

Any symptoms you experience may simply make you feel like you’re not yourself and can negatively affect your daily functioning, which can play a significant role in your mental health.

How period pain can affect your education

Research conducted by The Conversation revealed that one in five young women (20%) reported missing school or university due to period pain. Two in five (41%) said pain affected their concentration or performance in class.

Many of these young women run the risk of falling behind during their final years of schooling – a crucial time in their academic lives.

While mild pain or discomfort could be seen as part of a “normal” menstrual cycle, if pain or any other menstrual symptoms are enough to prevent normal activities such as going to school or work, it’s important to go and speak to your doctor or contact our Employee Assistance Programme.

Period pain policy making headlines

It’s disappointing that women often struggle to get their health concerns taken seriously. Period pain is still seen by some people as a taboo subject – something that needs to change if we want to achieve equality for women’s physical and mental health.

It was recently reported that a school in England refused to authorise sick days related to period pain unless parents provided "related medical information". Neale-Wade Academy in March, Cambridgeshire, also said it was no longer accepting explanations such as "unwell, poorly or ill" for it to authorise student absences.

Thankfully, just days later the school reversed its policy after intense criticism from parents on social media. In an email to parents, Graham Horn, the principal, said the school was "very sorry for any concerns" its policy had caused.

Jo Atkins Potts, from the charity Bloody Good Period, said she welcomed the policy reversal, but hoped for a world where "menstruation is openly discussed respected and supported".

Ask for reasonable adjustments

One of the criteria for a PMDD diagnosis is that it has a significant impact on your work, social, education or family life.

If PMDD is affecting your ability to work or get services when you need them, you may be able to ask for reasonable adjustments as part of the Equality Act 2010.

Contact us for more support

When the time feels right, you may feel the need to reach out for emotional or practical support. Health Assured know how difficult it can be to take those first steps. Our qualified and experienced counsellors are ready to listen and provide guidance.

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available 24/7, 365, so help is always available, at a time which suits you.