When it comes to women's health, there is no such thing as a silly question. Do you have a question you want answered, but have been too afraid or embarrassed to bring it up with your GP? Or you forgot to ask while you were in the doctor's surgery? Now, you can 'Ask Dr Jean'.
Answering your questions for this edition of 'Ask Dr Jean' is gynaecologist and Jean Hailes Medical Director, Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM (pictured).
Why is it there are almost no doctors who know about premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)? So many women are suffering and so are their families due to a lack of care options as well as knowledgeable doctors, gynaecologists, obstetricians, psychologists and psychiatrists.
About 3-8% of women suffer with PMDD, with 20-30% of women with moderate to severe symptoms & 50% with some symptoms of varying severity (mild to moderate).
Many health professionals know about PMDD, but often struggle, with the different therapies available, to find the correct therapies.
The forms of treatment available are:
There is still much that is unknown about PMDD, including:
There may be different types of PMDD which are yet to be defined.
Read more about PMDD in the Periods (Health A-Z) section of our website.