Stress, Inflammation, and PMDD: What the Science Is Starting to Say
If you’ve ever felt like your mood changes before your period are more than “just hormones,” you’re not alone. Science is finally catching up.
What Is PMDD?
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe, often debilitating condition that affects up to 5 to 8% of menstruating people. While it’s long been attributed to hormonal shifts, new research is uncovering something deeper: the role of inflammation and stress in the brain.
The Role of Neuroinflammation
Emerging studies suggest that stress-induced neuroinflammation may be a key trigger in both the development and worsening of PMDD symptoms. A 2025 review published in Frontiers in Endocrinology highlights how chronic stress and systemic inflammation disrupt brain pathways involved in mood regulation, especially in those who are hormonally sensitive.
What Happens in the Brain
Inflammation impacts neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, two key players in emotional stability. That means the irritability, sadness, or overwhelm before your period may not just be hormonal; it might be your brain responding to deeper neuroinflammatory signals.
Hope for Future Treatment
If inflammation is part of the root cause, then it could also be part of the solution. Researchers believe this insight may help shape future treatment strategies that go beyond symptom management and actually address the core mechanisms of PMDD.
Our Take at Floriss Rx
At Floriss Rx, we’re committed to evidence-informed mental health care. PMDD isn’t just "in your head", it's complex, biological, and deserving of compassionate support. We believe in care that treats the whole person, not just the symptoms.
You’re Not Broken
We’ll continue following this promising research, but in the meantime, know this: if you’re struggling, you’re not broken. Your body is trying to tell you something, and we’re here to listen.
Source:
Cheng M, et al. The role of the neuroinflammation and stressors in premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025. Read on PubMed
