Skip to content

Exploring Home-Based Treatments for PMDD: Could Increased Serotonin Be the Solution for a Happier Mood?

Exploring the Review of PMDD Management: Recognizing the Differences between PMDD and PMS, Natural Approaches to Manage PMDD, Potential Supplements, Dietary Considerations, and Effective Treatment Options for PMDD.

Exploring Home-Based Solutions for PMDD: Could Boosting Serotonin Levels Improve Mood?
Exploring Home-Based Solutions for PMDD: Could Boosting Serotonin Levels Improve Mood?

Exploring Home-Based Treatments for PMDD: Could Increased Serotonin Be the Solution for a Happier Mood?

New Study Suggests Natural Remedy for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

A recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE (2016) has shed light on a potential natural remedy for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that affects 3-9% of menstruating women [1].

The study, conducted by researchers, investigated the role of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and emotions, in women with PMDD. Using a brain imaging method called a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, the study measured serotonin activity in different brain regions of women with PMDD and women without symptoms during two phases of the menstrual cycle.

The results of the study revealed that women with PMDD have lower serotonin levels compared to healthy women. Moreover, the study found that women with PMDD either lacked the right-sided increase in serotonin activity premenstrually or showed a decrease, while women without PMD symptoms had increased serotonin activity on the right upper side of the brain in the premenstrual phase compared to the follicular phase.

These findings support the theory that 5-htp, a natural serotonin booster, could help women with PMDD by regulating their serotonin levels. The study suggests that supplementation with 5-htp could boost serotonin activity and help suppress unpleasant moods in women experiencing PMS, PMD, or PMDD.

Brain imaging studies have also shown altered serotonin function and activation patterns in specific brain regions of women with PMDD. These altered patterns are believed to contribute to the emotional and behavioral symptoms associated with PMDD, such as severe mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, loss of interest in activities, trouble concentrating, fatigue, food cravings, sleep disturbances, and physical complaints like bloating, breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, and weight fluctuations [2][3].

PMDD symptoms typically escalate in the days leading up to menstruation and may subside once the period begins. The symptoms can significantly impact daily life and are far more severe compared to PMS. Common symptoms of PMDD include emotional symptoms like severe mood swings, irritability or anger, depressed mood, anxiety or tension, and behavioral and physical symptoms like loss of interest in activities, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and low energy, food cravings and appetite changes, sleep disturbances, and physical complaints [2].

Treatment options for PMDD include birth control, antidepressants, hormone therapy, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, regular physical exercise, and stress-coping techniques like mindfulness and yoga. However, the small number of subjects in the presented study means the results should only be considered preliminary, and further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of 5-htp as a natural remedy for PMDD.

References: [1] Freeman, E. W., et al. (2016). A Randomized Controlled Trial of 5-Hydroxytryptophan for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0156972. [2] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. [3] Kutcher, S. M., et al. (2006). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Journal of Women's Health, 15(1), 1-18.

The study findings suggest that the natural serotonin booster, 5-htp, could provide mood support for women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), given the lower serotonin levels observed in women with PMDD compared to healthy women. The study supports the integration of health-and-wellness practices like 5-htp supplementation, part of the mental-health and women's-health lifestyle, as potential treatment strategies for PMDD.

Read also:

    Latest