Understanding premenstrual dysphoric disorder from a psychosomatic and a sensory perspective

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Women's Health

Background:

• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is often viewed through hormonal and mood lenses, but many symptoms remain unexplained.
• Early-life and interpersonal trauma can sensitize neural circuits, worsening PMDD symptoms during hormonal fluctuations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multidimensional framework for PMDD.
• To integrate traumatic experiences, interoceptive awareness, and sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) into PMDD understanding.
• To explore the role of these factors in symptom development and maintenance.

Main Methods:

• A narrative synthesis of existing literature was performed.
• Focused on the impact of trauma on the HPA axis, sensory processing, and interoceptive awareness.
• Examined the neurobiological interplay between these factors and hormonal fluctuations.

Main Results:

• Trauma-related neural circuit dysregulation (amygdala, insula, prefrontal cortex) increases vulnerability to premenstrual distress.
• Disrupted sensory and emotional processing is linked to heightened vulnerability.
• Increased sensory processing and altered interoceptive awareness amplify luteal phase symptom severity.

Conclusions:

• A trauma-informed sensory framework offers a broader understanding of PMDD beyond traditional models.
• Assessing trauma history and sensory reactivity is crucial for clinical practice.
• Integrating these factors may enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy for PMDD.