PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) - Day 2: Charting The Way To Wellness!
In last week's blog, PMS: Day 1: Separating Fact From Fiction! , we took a look at what PMS or PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is and what it isn't! Please take a read if you have not already. The most important fact we learned about PMDD is that it is a legitimate medical disorder! And although it has a physiological basis for causation, symptoms manifest both physically and psychologically! Today, we are going to take a look at how PMDD is accurately diagnosed and assessed. Along with a comprehensive blood panel and a complete medical/psychological history, most experts can confirm or rule-out PMDD by requiring their patients or clients to chart their symptoms for a minimum of three months. Why is this important? Let me explain. Females suffering from PMDD do not experience their symptoms all month long. Symptoms typically are present for most of the time during the last week of the luteal phase (the time between ovulation and the onset of menses) ...