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PMS vs PMDD — What’s Normal, What’s Not

PMS vs PMDD — What’s Normal, What’s Not

If your period turns you into a rage goblin or a puddle of tears, this one’s for you.

Team Eluna
July 02, 2025

We all joke about “being hormonal,” but here’s the truth: there’s a big difference between PMS (normal, annoying) and PMDD (serious, debilitating) — and too many people don’t know the line.

Spoiler: if your cycle is wrecking your work, relationships, and sanity every single month, it’s not just PMS. It might be PMDD — and you’re not being dramatic.

Let’s break it down.

First, What Is PMS?

PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome — a common combo of symptoms that show up a week or so before your period.

You might feel:

Crampy
Bloated
Tired
Irritable
Anxious
Moody
Craving all the salt and sugar in a 5-mile radius

What’s happening in your body?
Hormones are dropping off (estrogen and progesterone). Your brain and body feel the crash. It’s real — not just “in your head.”

When is it considered “normal”?

Symptoms are annoying but manageable
They go away once your period starts
They don’t wreck your day or relationships
You can still function (even if you're slightly grumpy doing it)

Now Let’s Talk PMDD — The Big Sister That Doesn’t Play

PMDD = Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
It's a severe, life-interrupting version of PMS — and it affects up to 1 in 20 women and AFAB folks.

PMDD is not just ‘worse PMS’. It’s a legit, diagnosable mood disorder that deserves serious attention and care.

PMDD Symptoms (a.k.a. The Red Flags)

If you have 5 or more of these, and they hit hard before your period and ease up after it starts — you need to look into PMDD:

Emotional/Mental:

Severe mood swings
Depression or hopelessness
Intense irritability or anger
Anxiety or panic attacks
Crying spells or rage episodes
Feeling out of control
Suicidal thoughts or ideation (call someone — seriously)

Physical:

Breast tenderness
Joint/muscle pain
Headaches
Bloating
Sleep problems
Food cravings
Fatigue

The Key Differences (PMS vs PMDD)

	PMS	PMDD
Severity	Mild to moderate	Severe, often debilitating
Emotional impact	Irritability, mood dips	Rage, anxiety, depression, despair
Functionality	Annoying but manageable	Interferes with daily life/work/relationships
Duration	1–7 days before period	7–14 days before period, lifts after bleeding begins
Treatment	Lifestyle changes, OTC meds	Needs medical support, therapy, sometimes SSRIs or hormonal treatment

So What Can You Do If It Is PMDD?

First: Don’t gaslight yourself. If you feel like a stranger in your own body and brain before your period — it’s not in your head.

✅ Steps to take:

Track it. Religiously.
Use an app (like Eluna, soon 👀) or notebook. Note the intensity, timing, and impact of symptoms.
Talk to a provider who believes you.
GPs and OB-GYNs don’t always recognize PMDD — so bring your tracked symptoms and advocate hard.
Lifestyle support matters too.
- Lower caffeine and alcohol during luteal phase
- Sleep like it’s your job
- Eat complex carbs + healthy fats
- Try magnesium + B6 (some research shows it helps)
- Movement helps, even if it’s a 10-minute walk
Medication might help — and that’s okay.
SSRIs or hormonal treatments can change lives for those with PMDD. No shame.

Still Not Sure? Here's a Gut Check:

If you’ve ever thought:

“I feel totally fine for two weeks… and then like a monster takes over my body.”

“I cry, snap, rage, and hate everyone — and then it’s like it never happened once my period starts.”

That’s not “just PMS.” That’s a red flag. Get curious, not quiet.

We’re Building Eluna for This.

Cycle tracking shouldn’t just be about ovulation. It should actually help you spot patterns, track mood shifts, and advocate for yourself.

We’re designing Eluna to do just that — and we’ll never sell your data, ever.

✨ Join the Waitlist
✨ Take the 2-Minute Survey

You’re not crazy. You’re cyclical. And you deserve to be heard.

#OwnYourCycle
#ElunaLife

Tags: #PMDD | #PMS | #HormoneHealth | #MentalHealthAwareness | #CycleTracking