PMDD and Perimenopause: Why You’re Struggling and What Can Help

Is it just mood swings—or something deeper? If you’ve ever felt like a completely different person before your period, you’re not alone—and you’re not crazy.

I’m diving into something I see all the time in my practice: mood disruption during perimenopause that goes far beyond PMS. We’re talking about that "I don’t feel like myself" feeling that so many women deal with—and the deeper hormonal patterns behind it.

PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is real. It’s not just feeling irritable—this is a full-body, mind-altering shift that can wreck relationships, sabotage careers, and leave you wondering what the hell is going on. And during perimenopause, those symptoms can go from bad to unbearable.

I’m breaking down the science behind why some women are more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations, how PMDD is diagnosed and the surprising connection to earlier menopause and severe hot flashes. You’ll also hear my thoughts on treatment options—from cognitive therapy to hormonal suppression.

If you’ve been dismissed, told to just “relax,” or handed a birth control pill that made everything worse… this episode is for you.

Highlights:

• What PMDD really is—and how it’s different from regular PMS

• How perimenopause can trigger or worsen mood disorders

• The overlooked connection between progesterone sensitivity and mental health

• Why some women with PMDD enter menopause earlier

• Treatment options that go beyond the pill (including a smart use of Duavee)

If this episode hit home, please like, share, and leave a review on Apple or Spotify. And follow me on Instagram and YouTube @GynoGirlTV for more unfiltered women's health talk.