PMDD Glossary

Disorder—A health problem with the body or mind.

Dysphoria—A strong feeling of being "not well."

Hormone—A natural substance in the human body. There are many kinds of hormones, each with its own job to do. The two hormones that play a big part in a woman's period are called estrogen (ess-troh-jen) and progesterone (pro-jess-tuh-rone).

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)—A serious medical condition that affects millions of women in the days before their period. PMDD is different from PMS. The mood symptoms (anger, sadness, tension, etc.) are much more severe, and they can get in the way of a woman's day-to-day life. See Dysphoria and Disorder.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)—A condition that many women suffer from in the days before their period. During this time they may feel a number of symptoms. These can include bloating, headaches, anger, or sadness. "Pre-" means "before." "Menstrual" is another word for "period." See Syndrome.

Serotonin—A natural substance in the body that may affect how a woman feels before her period. Many doctors believe that PMDD occurs when serotonin is out of balance.

SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)—A type of medicine that can be used to treat PMDD. SSRIs may help to keep the body's serotonin levels in balance. This, in turn, can help women with PMDD feel better.

Serotonin Syndrome—A potentially life-threatening condition that may occur in treatment with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and SSRIs, including Zoloft, particularly when taken along with another drug that increases serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, trouble thinking clearly, a change in mental functioning, sleepiness, or change in your breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure.

Symptom—A sign, or warning, of a health problem. Example: Feeling very "down" in the days before your period can be one symptom of PMDD.

Syndrome—A group of symptoms that appear at the same time. Example: Women with PMS can have several symptoms, not just one. These symptoms together make up a "syndrome."

Treatment plan—The total plan for treating any health problem. A treatment plan can include medicine, exercise, diet, rest, or counseling. Doctors can help patients find a treatment plan that works best for them.

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Depression is a serious medical condition, which can lead to suicidal thoughts and behavior. Children, adolescents, and young adults taking antidepressants may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior within the first few months of treatment. This risk must be balanced with the medical need. Those starting medication or changing doses should be watched closely for suicidal thoughts, worsening of depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. In children and teens, Zoloft is only approved for use in those with obsessive-compulsive disorder. A patient Medication Guide about "Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and Other Serious Mental Illnesses, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions" is available.

Zoloft is not for everyone. People taking MAOIs or pimozide shouldn't take Zoloft. Concomitant use of Zoloft with NSAIDs or aspirin may be associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Side effects may include dry mouth, insomnia, sexual side effects, diarrhea, nausea and sleepiness. In studies, few people were bothered enough by side effects to stop taking Zoloft. Side effects may result from stopping Zoloft particularly when abrupt. You should, however, stop taking Zoloft if you get any of the following symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome, a rare but life-threatening reaction, such as fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, trouble thinking clearly, a change in mental functioning, sleepiness, or change in your breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure.

You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as there is a potential risk to the fetus with Zoloft. Like many antidepressants, Zoloft can be present in breast milk so tell your doctor if you are nursing.

Zoloft is approved to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in adults over age 18. It is also approved for OCD in children and adolescents age 6-17 years.

Zoloft is not habit-forming and is not associated with weight gain. So talk to your doctor about how Zoloft might help you. Zoloft comes in 25-mg, 50-mg, and 100-mg tablets. You and your doctor can discuss a dose for you.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

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