PMS & PMDD
Many women notice changes before their period, but for some the effect is much more disruptive. PMS refers to cyclical physical and emotional symptoms before a period. PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is a more severe form where mood symptoms can significantly affect daily life, relationships, and work.
To support you in exploring how these changes are affecting you, we start by reviewing your cycle and symptom pattern over time and screening for other contributors such as thyroid problems, iron deficiency, anxiety, or depression. Treatment may include lifestyle support, hormonal or non-hormonal medical options, and mental health support where needed.
Cycle tracking
Across each cycle, oestrogen and progesterone rise and fall in a predictable sequence, and that shifting balance does far more than govern your period: it influences your energy, mood, sleep, skin, appetite and even your migraine and pain patterns. At SWW we pay close attention to this because your cycle is a genuine vital sign, one that reflects how your whole system is functioning, from your thyroid to your metabolism to your mental health.
Cycle tracking is where that picture starts to come into focus: by recording your cycle length, bleeding and symptoms over a few months, you build a record that helps us spot what's normal for you and identify when something needs a closer look.
Book a PMS or PMDD appointment at our Greenwich clinic today.
PMS describes the common physical and emotional symptoms experienced in the days before a period, while PMDD is a more severe condition in which mood symptoms significantly disrupt daily life. Both are thought to arise not because hormone levels are abnormal, but because some women are more affected by the normal hormonal changes that occur after ovulation, which can affect brain pathways involved in mood regulation.
PMDD is not diagnosed from a blood test or a single appointment. It is diagnosed by assessing the timing, severity, and monthly pattern of your symptoms, usually using daily symptom tracking over at least two cycles. This helps us distinguish PMDD from other conditions such as depression or anxiety that may not follow the same pattern.
We hear this all too often. While hormonal change is a normal part of life for women, that does not mean the symptoms that come with it are something you simply have to put up with. If hormonal symptoms are making life harder, affecting your wellbeing, or stopping you from feeling like yourself, it is worth exploring why they are happening and what can be done. We take a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to assessment and management.
Yes, absolutely. We encourage you to track your symptoms before your appointment, either using a cycle-tracking app or a simple diary. This can help build a clearer picture of your cycle and make it easier to identify patterns over time.
