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Most women are familiar with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), when symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, cravings, and mood changes occur shortly before a menstrual period and go away during or just after the period. An estimated three out of four women have experienced at least one episode of PMS in their lives. Often these symptoms can be ignored or alleviated with lifestyle changes. But sometimes period-related changes are so severe that they interfere with women's ability to work, study, take care of their families, or function normally. This condition, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), affects 3 to 5 of every 100 women.
To understand PMDD, it helps to understand the term “menstrual cycle.” The term refers to the h…