Massage Therapy: Natural Relief for PMDD Symptoms

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS/PMT that can significantly impact a woman's quality of life. It is caused by a severe reaction to the natural rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone and is not due to a hormonal imbalance. There is also evidence which suggests a link between PMDD and women who have experienced childhood abuse and trauma. I have linked the article below which references a further 64 articles in relation to this topic. 

PMDD symptoms can usually begin at around half-way through a woman’s menstrual cycle and worsen in the days before menstruation. They tend to disappear within a few days after the start of menstruation, up until the middle of the cycle again. This can lead some women to feel as if they are living half a life, as they are only feeling themselves for half of the month. It can also lead to misdiagnosis by GP’s for conditions such as Bi-Polar disorder, where people experience periods of elevated mood and periods of depression. That is why it is important to track your symptoms and moods alongside your menstrual cycle. 

Symptoms can include mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, suicidality, physical discomfort and many more. Some women can feel physical aching akin to flu-like symptoms in the build up to menstruation. While there's no cure for PMDD, many women find relief through a combination of treatments, including massage therapy.

How Massage Therapy Can Help PMDD

1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Massage therapy has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the body's stress hormone. This can help alleviate the anxiety and irritability often associated with PMDD.

2. Improves Mood: Studies have found that massage can boost serotonin and dopamine levels, neurotransmitters that play a crucial role in mood regulation. This can help reduce feelings of depression and improve overall well-being.

3. Alleviates Physical Symptoms: Massage can help relieve physical discomfort, such as muscle tension and headaches, which are common symptoms of PMDD. A relaxing massage which especially targets the shoulder and neck area can feel very relieving during the luteal phase. 

   
   

4. Promotes Relaxation: The deep relaxation induced by massage can help you to manage stress and improve sleep quality, both of which can be challenging during the build-up to menstruation. 

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

If you have PMDD, make sure that you communicate your massage needs with your therapist and be honest about your symptoms and what you hope to achieve from the massage. You could look for a therapist who specialises in women’s health or who is knowledgeable about PMDD. 

Incorporating Massage into Your PMDD Management

Massage therapy can be used as part of a holistic approach to manage PMDD symptoms. It can be a natural and effective way to find some relief, reduce your symptoms, and improve your overall quality of life. I recommend receiving a monthly massage during the luteal phase and times of high stress or when symptoms are particularly severe.    

Other Approaches

Ultimately there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating PMDD, there are many ways that you can try to decrease the severity of your symptoms and it may require a combination of approaches. Other ways to combat PMDD symptoms can be through nutrition, supplements, exercise, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), meditation, as well as other holistic therapies such as aromatherapy and acupuncture.

Medications such as SSRI’s prescribed by a GP may also be useful for some people and some doctors may recommend taking these either just during your luteal phase or throughout your entire cycle. Further medical approaches such as chemical menopause, or a hysteretomy with oophorectomy can be considered as a last resort, especially when the risk of suicidality is high. 

The IAPMD association https://iapmd.org/ provides the much needed support, advice, and information for those living with PMDD. I also have a page dedicated to PMDD under the client resources tab on my website. https://www.thewhitefeathermassagetherapy.com/general-5  This includes links to useful articles, organisations, and resources. 

Article

Childhood Trauma and Premenstrual Symptoms: The Role of Emotion Regulation - ScienceDirect.