The Basics

What is PME?

Premenstrual exacerbation, or PME, is a very real medical phenomenon, wherein the symptoms of an existing medical, somatic, or psychiatric condition (like depression, migraines, or diabetes) worsen during the premenstrual (or luteal) phase of your menstrual cycle.

Studies show that a variety of pre-existing psychiatric disorders, such as depression or anxiety, as well as non-psychiatric disorders, such as atopic dermatitis or asthma, can be premenstrually exacerbated.¹

How does PME show up?

Think of it this way: if you usually suffer from migraines, PME will turn up the volume on those migraines, right before your periods. In a nutshell, premenstrual exacerbation worsens symptoms inherent to your existing health disorder, specifically during your premenstrual phase.

If you have a chronic condition, whether it's psychological (like anxiety) or physical (like atopic dermatitis), PME makes that condition feel amplified in the days leading up to your period. It's not like PME brings in a new health issue or concern, it simply enhances the same issue you've always had, making it way more intense and painful.

PME can be frustrating to track because the flare-ups aren’t random; they’re hormonal. And if you’re not tracking your cycle closely, it might feel like your condition is just 'suddenly worse' every month for no reason.

In this section, we'll help you navigate PME with the right information, treatment options, and practical tools to manage your symptoms more confidently, cycle after cycle.

References