Wondering if your symptoms align with PMDD? Take the PMDD test online.
PMDD Quiz: Do You Have Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed emotionally and physically in the days before your period, it’s easy to dismiss your symptoms as “just PMS.”
However, if this is the norm for you every single cycle, and your symptoms feel all-consuming, disruptive, and a bit hard to explain… This could be a sign of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is a hormone-related mood disorder that affects around 5-8% of reproductive-age women.
The most frustrating thing about PMDD is that its symptoms not only overlap with severe PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome), but they also overlap with serious mental health conditions (such as anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder). Unfortunately, this means PMDD can go unrecognized and misdiagnosed for years.
That’s why we’ve created this PMDD Quiz: to help you reflect on your symptoms, better understand what you’re experiencing, and feel confident in taking the next steps toward feeling better ahead of your period.
While this self-screening tool is not a diagnosis (you’ll need to visit your doctor for an official PMDD assessment), it can give you some clarity about your body and hormones. This can then help you feel more confident when navigating uncomfortable conversations with your healthcare provider, your partner, and even yourself.
PMDD Test: Who Should Take It?
If you feel like your emotional well-being takes a dramatic dip before your period and you want to know why… this PMDD Test is for you.
You might consider taking this self-assessment if you:
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Are of reproductive age and have noticed patterns of intense mood changes and/or physical discomfort in the days before your period.
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Have been told that what you’re experiencing is “just PMS,” but you feel like your symptoms are more severe than that.
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Are experiencing symptoms like intense anxiety, depression, or sudden irritability that affects your relationships or daily life ahead of your period.
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Are trying to understand whether your symptoms might point to PMDD instead of (or alongside) PMS.
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You’re a partner, friend, or family member who’s worried about someone you care about and want to learn more about PMDD.
While a quiz cannot replace a formal clinical evaluation, it can still shine a light on potential patterns, especially those linked to hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle.
PMDD Symptoms Quiz: What You’ll Be Asked
PMDD symptoms go beyond the typical pre-period mood swings, bloating, and fatigue. And although PMDD symptoms do overlap with some PMS symptoms, PMDD symptoms are more severe, follow a predictable pattern, and interrupt day-to-day quality of life.
These symptoms typically improve once your period begins, and are minimal or even absent during the rest of your menstrual cycle.
So to assess the likelihood of PMDD in this quiz, you’ll be asked about the following:
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The types of emotional and physical symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
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The timing of those symptoms in relation to your menstrual cycle.
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How your symptoms affect your day-to-day life.
This is the best way to screen for patterns consistent with PMDD.
This approach is based on clinical guidelines outlined in the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
Common PMDD Symptoms
PMDD affects everyone differently, but symptoms do tend to fall into three categories: emotional, physical, and cognitive.
Also, what sets PMDD apart from typical PMS is both the severity and timing of these symptoms, which often appear during the luteal phase (i.e., after ovulation and before menstruation).
The following table provides a breakdown of the most common PMDD symptoms, when they typically occur, and how they can impact your daily life.
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PMDD Symptoms |
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Symptom Type |
Examples |
When They Occur (DSM-5-TR Criteria) |
Impact on Daily Life |
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Emotional Symptoms |
Irritability, anxiety, depression, sudden mood changes (e.g., crying spells) |
Present in the week before your period, start improving within a few days after menstruation begins, minimal or absent in the week after |
Strained relationships, reduced work performance, emotional distress |
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Physical Symptoms |
Breast tenderness or swelling, bloating, fatigue, headaches, muscle or joint pain |
Follow the same cyclic pattern tied to the menstrual cycle |
Discomfort affecting sleep, daily movement, and overall energy levels |
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Cognitive Symptoms |
Loss of interest in usual activities, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite or eating habits |
Occur in the luteal phase, ease once menstruation starts |
Lower productivity, withdrawal from social activities, difficulty completing tasks |
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DSM-5-TR Criteria Overview |
At least 5 total symptoms (including at least one emotional symptom) must be present. |
Symptoms must be cyclic, improve after the onset of menstruation, and cause significant impairment |
Work, school, relationships, and daily functioning may be disrupted |
What the DSM-5-TR Criteria Says
Based on the latest DSM-5-TR criteria, a PMDD diagnosis can be given if:
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At least five total symptoms are present, and one symptom must be emotional (e.g., mood swings, anger, depression, or anxiety).
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Symptoms must follow a cyclical pattern, appearing before menstruation, improving after it starts, and being absent the rest of the month (or at least very minimal symptoms in the week following menstruation).
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Symptoms must cause significant impairment in daily life, such as with work, school, relationships, or hobbies.
If you meet the above criteria, there is a high likelihood that your doctor will diagnose you with PMDD.
PMDD Test Online: How Accurate Is It?
Online self-assessments, like this PMDD quiz, can be incredibly helpful for getting some initial answers, but they do have their limitations. Yes, a quiz can highlight patterns and symptoms that suggest PMDD, but online quizzes are not designed to replace a full PMDD assessment by a healthcare provider.
Limitations of Self-Assessment Tools
Self-assessment quizzes rely on your ability to reflect and recall your symptoms accurately. However, symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, and irritability can overlap with other health conditions, such as:
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Major depressive disorder
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Generalized anxiety disorder
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Bipolar disorder
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Thyroid dysfunction or other hormonal imbalances
Without tracking your symptoms for at least three full menstrual cycles, and without lab-based confirmation of hormone fluctuations, an online quiz alone cannot provide you with a conclusive, clinically accurate diagnosis.
Why Professional Diagnosis Matters
A healthcare provider can guide you through a more comprehensive diagnostic process, which may include:
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Daily symptom tracking across multiple menstrual cycles
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Hormone testing (either with regular blood tests or urine-based tests like Mira)
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Mental health screening
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Screenings for other physical and/or psychiatric conditions
By making sure your symptoms are actually caused by PMDD and not another underlying health concern, your doctor can provide you with the very best treatment based on your unique needs.
When to Consider Further Testing
If your quiz results suggest a high likelihood of PMDD, it’s worth getting your hormones checked. Depending on your healthcare provider and insurance, this may or may not be immediately accessible. This is where at-home lab panel tests (like the Panorama Fertility Lab Test) are helpful, as they allow you to test multiple hormones at once before you need to book a doctor’s appointment.
In addition to getting your hormones checked, you can also start tracking your symptoms in a cycle-tracking app (like the Mira App). As you start to gather more and more information about your body, you can start to create a clearer picture of what’s happening with your cycle and how you can best manage your symptoms.
PMDD Questionnaire: Understanding Your Results
After completing the PMDD quiz, you’ll receive a score that reflects how closely your symptoms align with patterns seen in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Again, your score is not a diagnosis. But it can help you understand whether further evaluation is warranted and what you can do next.
Here’s how you can interpret your results:
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Do I have PMDD? What Your PMS vs PMDD Quiz Results Mean |
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High (9–12 points) |
If you scored between 9–12 points, your results suggest a high likelihood of PMDD. What your score means: If you scored in the high range, your symptoms are strongly suggestive of PMDD. You likely experience emotional and physical symptoms that are severe, cyclical, and disruptive to your daily life, particularly in the 1-2 weeks before your period. Next steps:
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Moderate (5–8 points) |
If you scored between 5–8 points, your results suggest a moderate likelihood of PMDD. What your score means: A moderate score may indicate that you experience some PMDD-like symptoms, but your symptoms may not meet the full diagnostic criteria. While you may still have PMDD, there’s a chance you could have severe PMS or another condition that mimics PMDD. Next steps:
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Low (0–4 points) |
If you scored between 0–4 points, your results suggest a low likelihood of PMDD. What your score means: A low score suggests that your symptoms may not match the diagnostic profile for PMDD. However, that doesn’t mean your experiences aren’t valid or worth addressing. While you may still have PMDD, there’s a chance you could also have PMS or another condition that mimics PMDD. Next steps:
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Next Steps and Getting Help
If your quiz results suggest a possibility of PMDD, or if you simply feel overwhelmed by your symptoms each cycle, know that you do not have to go through this alone. There is support available and a wealth of information online that can help you navigate the next steps.
When to see a doctor vs a mental health professional
You should consider reaching out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible if:
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Your symptoms interfere with your work, relationships, hobbies, and/or daily routines.
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You experience intense mood changes, including feelings of deep sadness, rage, or suicidal thoughts before your period.
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Your symptoms tend to follow a pattern each cycle and improve once your period begins.
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You’ve tried to help yourself with lifestyle changes and self-care, but you haven’t managed to see any improvements.
Because PMDD sits at the intersection of hormone health and emotional well-being, it can be helpful to speak to your doctor and a mental health professional (such as a psychologist, counselor, or therapist). Taking a holistic approach typically leads to better outcomes, as it allows you to address both the physical symptoms and the emotional impact of those symptoms.
It’s also important to note that certain disorders can mimic or coexist alongside PMDD. This includes:
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Major depressive disorder
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Generalized anxiety disorder
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Bipolar disorder
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Thyroid imbalances
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Perimenopause-related mood changes
This is why it’s important to seek professional guidance rather than self-diagnosing. It’s easy to jump to conclusions — but only a doctor can get to the bottom of the root cause of your symptoms, which is essential for getting the right treatment and support.
Potential Treatment Options
PMDD can be managed in a few different ways. Here are the most common treatment strategies that can improve life for people with PMDD.
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Common PMDD Treatment Strategies |
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Lifestyle Changes |
Basic lifestyle changes, like exercising regularly, getting an adequate amount of sleep, maintaining a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, and keeping stress levels low can help lessen the impact of PMDD symptoms during the luteal phase. |
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) |
Regular CBT sessions can be helpful for managing mood-related symptoms and identifying unhelpful thought patterns. |
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Medication |
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are often prescribed for PMDD and, depending on the patient, can be taken continuously or just during the luteal phase. In some cases, hormonal birth control can also help ease PMDD symptoms. |
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Hormone Monitoring |
Tracking key reproductive hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), is helpful for identifying how PMDD symptoms shift alongside fluctuating hormone levels. Tools like the Mira Hormone Monitor and Mira App allow you and your doctor to track these hormones in real-time, which is helpful for managing symptoms. |
Managing Symptoms at Home and Work
Even with the right treatments and medications, living with PMDD can still be challenging. Here are a few practical steps you can take to manage your symptoms:
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Create a symptom calendar using a period-tracking app or a journal to track your emotional and physical symptoms.
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Plan around your cycle when possible, scheduling your most demanding tasks, events, and commitments outside the luteal phase.
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Reach out to your support system and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you feel overwhelmed.
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Know your rights, as PMDD may be eligible for certain workplace accommodations in some countries.
If you’ve recently received a PMDD diagnosis (or maybe you’re still struggling to pinpoint exactly what’s going on), it’s worth speaking to someone in our Hormone Health Clinic. Our hormone health experts are fully trained and qualified to help you navigate all things PMDD testing, treatment, and symptom tracking.
You Don’t Have to Face PMDD Alone
PMDD is a real, often misunderstood condition that can make everyday life feel overwhelming. But there is hope.
Taking the time to learn about your symptoms, track your cycle, and seek support and information is a powerful first step towards reclaiming your health and well-being.
If you’d like to learn more about PMDD and PMS, you may find the following articles on our website helpful:
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Understanding the Menstrual Cycle: Phases and Hormones Explained
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I Thought My PMS Was Getting Worse—It Was Actually Perimenopause.
For more detailed information and guidance on PMDD, we recommend exploring the resources at the PMDD Project, the National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes, and the International Association of Premenstrual Disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tell the difference between PMDD or a bipolar episode?
Both PMDD and bipolar disorder can involve mood swings. However, the timing and duration of symptoms differ.
PMDD symptoms are cyclical, meaning they only appear during the luteal phase and resolve shortly after menstruation. Bipolar disorder involves longer mood episodes (manic or depressive) that are not linked to the menstrual cycle.
If you're unsure of what you’re experiencing, speak with your healthcare provider straight away.
How to handle my PMDD?
A great starting point for managing PMDD is by tracking your menstrual cycle, making sure to log your symptoms and period dates. From there, common strategies for managing PMDD in daily life include making healthy lifestyle changes, planning around your cycle, attending CBT therapy, and taking certain medications (such as SSRIs or hormonal birth control).
