What doctor to see for PMDD

pmdd Mar 31, 2025

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is more than just bad PMS. It's a serious condition that affects 5%-8% of women, causing severe mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression in the week or two leading up to their period. While PMDD is less common than premenstrual syndrome (PMS), it’s far more debilitating, disrupting daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with angry outbursts, crippling anxiety, or extreme irritability every single month, you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. So, what doctor should you see for PMDD? Let’s take a look into some of the options.

Understanding PMDD

While PMS and PMDD share some symptoms, the two conditions differ greatly in severity and impact:

PMS: Affects 20%-30% of women when applying diagnostic criteria, but up to 80% self-report symptoms.
PMDD: Affects only 2%-6% of women and is marked by ≥5 severe physical or behavioral symptoms, such as intense mood swings, irritability, or depression.

Diagnosing PMDD

There’s no lab test for PMDD. Diagnosis relies on tracking your symptoms over time. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) defines PMDD as having at least five physical or behavioral symptoms—or even just one affective (emotional) symptom—that significantly disrupts your life.

What Doctor Should You See for PMDD?

When it comes to managing PMDD, finding the right doctor is crucial. Here's a breakdown of your options:

1. Naturopathic Doctors (NDs)

Naturopathic doctors take a holistic approach, seeking to identify and treat the root cause of your PMDD symptoms rather than masking them with medications.

Here’s what makes naturopathic care unique:

Personalized Care: NDs develop customized treatment plans based on your unique biochemistry, lifestyle, and symptom history.
Holistic Approach: Treatment often includes dietary changes, hormone support, stress reduction techniques, botanicals, targeted nutrients, and/or amino acids to address the underlying imbalances.
Comprehensive Testing: While there’s no single test for PMDD, NDs may order other labs to uncover contributing factors like nutrient deficiencies, gut dysfunction, thyroid issues, or hormone imbalances.

Many women seek naturopathic care after being dismissed by conventional healthcare with comments like, “Your labs are normal” or “It’s just your hormones.” At Naturopathic by Design™, we believe in empowering women with answers and solutions tailored to their unique needs.

2. Gynecologists

Gynecologists are often the first stop for PMDD, particularly when it comes to ruling out other gynecological issues or considering medications like birth control to manage symptoms.

3. Psychiatrists

Since PMDD often involves severe mood symptoms, psychiatrists may prescribe SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) to help stabilize mood.

How Naturopathic Medicine Can Help PMDD

Naturopathic medicine offers a collaborative approach to PMDD care, addressing not just symptoms but the underlying causes. Here’s what a typical naturopathic care plan might include:

Dietary Support: Focusing on foods high in thiamin, riboflavin, heme iron, and zinc—nutrients shown to help mitigate PMDD symptoms.
Stress Reduction: Incorporating mindfulness, yoga, or other stress-relief practices to balance cortisol levels.
Hormonal Support: Using natural therapies to balance hormones and reduce sensitivity to hormonal changes.
Supplementation: Targeted botanicals, nutrients, and amino acids to support mood and overall health.
Lifestyle Modifications: Helping you create routines prioritizing sleep, hydration, and toxin reduction.

Curious about natural ways to manage PMDD? Our blog post on *how to treat PMDD naturally* dives deeper into effective, holistic solutions.

Why Naturopathic Medicine Stands Out

At Naturopathic by Design™, we believe your body has the inherent power to heal itself when given the right tools and support. Here’s why our approach works:

Root Cause Focus: We don’t just treat symptoms; we dig deep to find what’s really going on.
Empowered Patients: You’ll learn to understand your body and become an active participant in your care.
Holistic Healing: We consider your physical, mental, and emotional health to create a plan that supports your whole self.

Taking the First Step

If PMDD is impacting your life every month, don’t settle for being told it’s “normal.” Your symptoms are your body’s way of asking for help, and with the right support, you can regain control and feel like yourself again.

Ready to explore a holistic, results-driven approach to PMDD care? Book a free 15-minute discovery call with us to learn how naturopathic medicine can help you reclaim your health.