PMS vs. PMDD: What’s the Difference?

A simple guide for understanding two very different conditions

Many people experience symptoms before their period, but not all premenstrual symptoms are the same. PMS and PMDD are often confused, but they differ in severity, impact, and how much they affect daily life. Here's a breakdown to help you better understand the differences.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)	PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)
How common?	Very common (up to 90%)	Less common (3–8%)
Symptom severity	Mild–moderate	Severe, intense, often debilitating
Primary symptoms	Bloating, mild mood changes, irritability, fatigue	Severe depression, anxiety, anger, mood swings, intrusive thoughts
Life impact	Uncomfortable but manageable	Interferes with work, relationships, daily functioning
Timing	1–14 days before period	1–14 days before period (luteal phase)
Symptoms improve when?	Often improve once period starts	Typically lift within 1–3 days of bleeding starting
Emotional intensity	Noticeable but not overwhelming	Overwhelming; may include hopelessness, rage, panic, or feeling out of control
Physical symptoms	Bloating, breast tenderness, cramps	Same as PMS but often more intense
Cause	Hormone changes + lifestyle factors	Extreme sensitivity to normal hormone fluctuations
Diagnosis	Based on symptoms	Requires tracking for 2+ cycles
Treatment	Lifestyle changes, NSAIDs, supplements	SSRIs, hormonal options, CBT, lifestyle support, treating underlying conditions

How PMS Feels

• Irritability

• Moodiness

• Mild anxiety

• Cramping or bloating

• Fatigue

• Food cravings

  
  

Not pleasant, but generally manageable.

How PMDD Feels

• Sudden mood crashes

• Intense anxiety or panic

• Severe irritability or rage

• Hopelessness

• Difficulty functioning

• Crying spells

• Feeling unlike yourself

• Physical symptoms that amplify emotional distress

PMDD symptoms can feel overwhelming and frightening, and they significantly impact day-to-day life.

How to Know Which One You’re Experiencing

Ask yourself:

• Do the symptoms disrupt my life?

• Do I feel out of control emotionally before my period?

• Do symptoms improve shortly after my period starts?

• Have I felt this way for many cycles in a row?

If you said yes to most of these, PMDD may be a possibility.

You should reach out to a healthcare professional if:

• Your mood crashes feel severe

• You have intrusive or distressing thoughts

• You struggle to work, parent, or function normally pre-period

• You already live with endometriosis and symptoms feel amplified

A diagnosis can be life-changing and we all deserve clarity over our own health.

#PMS #PMDD #Menstrualhealth #Periods

#Mentalhealth #moodchanges #Endometriosis

#Cycletrack #womenshealth