PMDD Treatment in Pennsylvania
If the week or two before your period brings mood swings, irritability, or a sense of dread you can set your calendar by, you may be dealing with more than typical PMS. Sunstone Psychiatry for Women provides individualized evaluation and treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
We take the time to understand your full cycle — not just the days you’re symptomatic — to build a PMDD treatment plan that reflects your specific pattern of symptoms.
At Sunstone Psychiatry for Women, we provide individualized psychiatric care for women in Pennsylvania. Our goal is to help you navigate life transitions, hormonal changes, and mental health with clarity and support.
What Is PMDD?
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that affects an estimated 3 to 8 percent of women of reproductive age. Unlike typical PMS, PMDD involves mood and behavioral symptoms severe enough to disrupt work, relationships, and daily functioning — consistently, in the one to two weeks before menstruation, with relief shortly after your period begins.
Because PMDD is tied to the menstrual cycle, it’s often mistaken for “just PMS,” anxiety, depression, or even a personality conflict, delaying an accurate diagnosis. A psychiatric evaluation that looks at the timing and pattern of your symptoms — not just the symptoms themselves — is key to identifying PMDD correctly.
If these symptoms follow a predictable pattern tied to your cycle and are affecting your work, relationships, or daily life, a psychiatric evaluation can help confirm whether PMDD — rather than PMS, anxiety, or depression alone — is the most accurate explanation. At Sunstone, we offer individualized PMDD treatment that’s built around your specific symptom pattern.
Common Signs & Symptoms of PMDD
- Mood swings, sudden sadness, or increased sensitivity to rejection
- Irritability, anger, or increased conflict with others
- Feelings of hopelessness or self-critical thoughts
- Anxiety, tension, or feeling "on edge"
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in appetite, food cravings, or binge eating
- Sleep disturbances — sleeping too much or too little
- Physical symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, or joint and muscle pain
- A sense of feeling overwhelmed or out of control
PMDD-Related Concerns We Treat
Our team provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management for:
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Premenstrual Exacerbation of Anxiety or Depression
Severe PMS with Significant Mood Symptoms
Hormonal Mood Sensitivity Across the Menstrual Cycle
Burnout & Chronic Stress
Hormonal & Life-Stage Anxiety
How Sunstone Can Help
Because PMDD symptoms are cyclical, understanding your pattern over time is central to an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
01
Psychiatric Evaluation
We review your symptom pattern, cycle history, and how symptoms are affecting your daily life — sometimes with the help of a brief symptom-tracking period.
02
Treatment Planning
If clinically appropriate, we'll discuss options, which may include SSRIs, other medication approaches, and coordination with your OB-GYN for hormonal treatment options.
FAQs About PMDD Treatment
How is PMDD different from regular PMS?
PMDD involves more severe mood and behavioral symptoms than typical PMS, significant enough to interfere with work, relationships, or daily functioning. The pattern — appearing in the luteal phase and resolving after menstruation begins — is central to the diagnosis.
What causes PMDD?
Current research suggests PMDD results from an increased sensitivity to normal hormonal fluctuations, rather than abnormal hormone levels themselves. This sensitivity can affect brain chemistry involved in mood regulation.
What treatment options are available for PMDD?
Treatment may include SSRIs (sometimes taken only during the luteal phase), other medication approaches, lifestyle strategies, and coordination with your OB-GYN regarding hormonal treatment options. We’ll discuss what’s most appropriate for you during your evaluation.
Is PMDD the same as bipolar disorder?
No, though the cyclical mood shifts can sometimes be mistaken for one another. A careful evaluation of symptom timing in relation to your menstrual cycle helps distinguish PMDD from bipolar disorder and other mood conditions.
Do I need to track my symptoms before my evaluation?
It can help, but it isn’t required to get started. We may ask you to track symptoms for one or two cycles as part of confirming a PMDD diagnosis.
Can therapy help with PMDD?
Yes — many patients benefit from combining medication with supportive psychotherapy, which we can incorporate into your care.
Do you accept insurance?
Sunstone is a self-pay, out-of-network practice. A superbill is available upon request for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
Are you currently accepting new patients?
Yes, we are currently welcoming new patients. You can get started by completing our online inquiry form.
Start Feeling More Like Yourself Again
PMDD can make it feel like you lose a week or two of yourself every cycle. With an accurate diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan, that doesn’t have to be the case.
Let’s get you started. We’re here to help.
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, hormonal shifts, or the challenges of the peripartum and perimenopausal years — or simply feeling overwhelmed — Sunstone Psychiatry for Women is here for you.
Now open and welcoming new patients!
have questions before submitting an inquiry form?
If you’re unsure whether our practice may be a good fit, we’re happy to answer questions before you complete an inquiry form.