Is Asperger's (high-functioning Autism) an exception to the rule that PMDD cannot be diagnosed in women with mental diosrders?

I have exactly the same problem. I have found that taking Tranexamic Acid on the days when my PMT is really bad stops it completely. I looked into why it works, as it is usually prescribed for heavy periods (and I was actually prescribed it as something to help with some allergies I had). It has anti-anxiety effects and it also possibly binds to oestrogen, which is thought to normally be quite low in females with Asperger's Syndrome but may not be prior to getting periods (see: http://www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/file90875.pdf). Anyway, I really hope this helps because it has really helped me. I used to have the most terrible mood swings where I would scream and shout and break things, and would hate myself for acting badly afterwards. No one had noticed that it was cyclical until I was with my last boyfriend. I got treated for depression instead, which helped nothing at all. I had also tried contraceptive pills but they made me feel worse. One type made me just cry for the two weeks I was taking it for! The Tranexamic Acid was something that I was taking for a different reason, so I just stumbled across it as a cure for my PMT but now I take it each month (1 x 500mg tablet a day) when I feel I am acting short tempered/agitated and it just gets rid of the PMT completely. I am much nicer to be around for everyone I care about and that is so much better.

I go through the same exact things myself. I swear seems like I wrote the question. Wish I could give advice just don't know any but remind yourself that u know that's not how you really feel and even though it can be hard or a pain remind family that it's that time to please help u get through it and just be there for u and disregard mean things u say. I know I have aspergers I told my husband but that's it it's so hard I can't even go to a Dr. I have suffered depression like my whole life and meds make it worse. So I started excersizeing and eating right and making myself do hobbies and I'm still depressed but I'm happy with my life. Just anything social is hard for me even with my husband and kids and idk what to do they know I love them but during pms I can be so mean to my husband but when I remind him I'm pms right now he is a little ok but it hurts me to be mean co I just want to be a good person and it's so hard being a aspie depressed and having pms.

have you thought of asking your doctor about Lybrel. Its a birth control that stops your period all together, therefore stopping PMS/PMDD. Just an idea. I am a mom to a high functioning ASD teenage girl. Her PMS/PMDD is so bad that we almost have to Baker Act her every month because of violent meltdowns. We have tried several other treatments and have an appointment to talk about Lybrel.

Leanne
I'm also hypersensitive to many things that a lot of people on the Autism Spectrum are hypersensitive to (I am on the Autism Spectrum) including: sounds, touch, and smells, so I'm thinking I might also be hypersensitive to the hormone fluxes that occur in my body right before my period.

Hello Leanne,

Comparing the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome and PMDD, I do not think there would be any difficulty in making a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD.

Women with PMDD have severe depression symptoms, irritability and tension before menstruation. Many women with this condition have anxiety, major depression, and seasonal affective disorders.

I can see where in these cases, it is difficult to make a diagnosis.

You may want to talk with your physician about PMDD treatment options.
Suggested lifestyle changes include eating a balanced diet with more whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and little or no salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. Regular aerobic exercise throughout the month might reduce the severity of symptoms. Getting plenty of sleep might help.

Some women do benefit from using an antidepressant known as a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and cognitive behavior therapy. Birth control pills can decrease or increase premenstrual symptoms, especially depression.

Talk with your physician. You shouldn't have to go through this each month.

Maryann