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    PMDD and the menstrual cycle

    Cyclical does not mean minor. Everything we publish on PMDD, PMS and the mood changes that track the luteal phase.

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    Common questions

    Can a blood test diagnose PMDD?
    No. Women with PMDD usually have entirely normal hormone levels. What differs is sensitivity to the normal hormonal fall after ovulation, so diagnosis rests on tracked symptoms across at least two cycles.
    What does treatment usually involve?
    UK first-line options typically include SSRIs, taken continuously or only in the luteal phase, and combined hormonal contraception used to suppress ovulation. CBT has evidence for reducing the impact of symptoms.

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