What Is PMDD?
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or PMDD, is a medically recognized condition. In the days before your period, you can feel intensely irritable, depressed, grouchy and bloated. The little things can seem overwhelming to you, and you can find yourself becoming overly emotional.

How Does PMDD Differ From PMS?
PMDD symptoms are much more severe and the changes in your emotions are much more intense. Women who suffer from PMDD often say they feel out of control -- like they're not the same person. They feel that PMDD is robbing them of their ability to enjoy family and friends, work and hobbies, even everyday activities.

Who Suffers From PMDD?
More than 5 million women suffer from PMDD. That's 3% to 8% of menstruating women. And those are just the recognized cases. The fact is the condition often goes undiagnosed - even dismissed as a woman's overreaction to PMS. The best way to find out if your symptoms are the result of PMDD is to talk with your doctor.