PMDD is more than difficult periods. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a serious hormonal condition that affects roughly 1 in 20 women of reproductive age. Unlike typical PMS, PMDD causes symptoms that are severe enough to disrupt daily life, relationships, and work. In the one to two weeks before your period, you may experience intense mood swings, rage or tearfulness that feels out of proportion, crushing fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, or a deep sense of depression that lifts almost the moment your cycle begins. Then the next month, it starts again.
Because the symptoms are cyclical, PMDD is often dismissed or misdiagnosed. Many women spend years being told their feelings are "just hormones" or that they simply need to manage stress better. The truth is that PMDD reflects a real sensitivity in the way your body and brain respond to hormonal shifts, and it deserves real, thoughtful care.
At Neighborhood Natural Medicine, we look at the whole picture. Rather than reaching straight for a prescription, Dr. Joseph Giacona works to understand what is driving your symptoms at a deeper level, whether that involves hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, nervous system dysregulation, or something else entirely. The goal is to help your body find its own balance again, not just get through each month.
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You've probably already tried the conventional route
Maybe your doctor offered antidepressants or hormonal birth control. Maybe you've spent hours searching online, trying different supplements, and still feel like you're going in circles. Or perhaps your lab work came back "normal," yet every month you find yourself struggling to get through the week before your period.
If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and you're not out of options.
A different kind of care for PMDD
At Neighborhood Natural Medicine, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. PMDD is a deeply personal condition, and the factors driving it can look very different from one person to the next. That's why Dr. Joseph Giacona begins by taking a thorough look at your full health history before making any recommendations.
His approach draws on a blend of naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and nutritional therapy. Rather than starting with the question "what can we give you for PMDD," he starts by asking why your body is responding the way it is. He'll consider hormonal patterns, digestive health, nutrient status, stress load, sleep, and the overall state of your nervous system. Often, what shows up as severe premenstrual symptoms is the body's way of signaling that something deeper is out of balance.
From there, he builds a treatment plan around you specifically, not a generic protocol. Some patients need support for their liver and detoxification pathways. Others benefit most from targeted nutritional support or herbal medicine. Some find that acupuncture alone creates a meaningful shift. In most cases, it's a thoughtful combination of approaches that produces the best and most lasting results.
The goal is never just to get you through the next cycle. It's to help your body find a steadier, more sustainable rhythm over time.
Acupuncture
Painless and deeply relaxing, acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system and hormonal patterns that contribute to PMDD. Many patients notice meaningful improvements within just a few sessions.
Naturopathic Medicine and Homeopathy
Rather than masking symptoms, naturopathic care works with your body to restore balance. Homeopathic remedies are selected specifically for your individual symptom profile.
Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Therapy
Certain herbs and nutrients have a well-established role in supporting hormonal health and mood. Dr. Giacona will identify which ones are right for your particular situation and help you use them effectively.
Detoxification and Dietary Guidance
Sometimes what you put into your body affects how you feel. We'll look at diet, digestion, and detoxification as part of your overall treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
How many treatments will I need?
That depends on how long you have been dealing with PMDD and how your body responds. Some patients feel noticeably better after a handful of sessions. Others with more complex or longstanding concerns may benefit from a longer course of care. Dr. Giacona will give you an honest sense of what to expect after your first visit.
Is this approach safe if I am currently taking medication?
Yes. We work with patients at all stages of their health journey, including those currently taking pharmaceuticals. Everything is discussed openly and care is always coordinated with your comfort and safety in mind.
I have had normal blood tests. Can you still help me?
Absolutely. Many of our patients come to us with a folder full of inconclusive paperwork and no real answers. Conventional lab work often misses the subtler imbalances that natural medicine is well-suited to address.
Do I need to have a formal PMDD diagnosis to book an appointment?
No. Whether you have a diagnosis or simply know that something feels off every month, you are welcome to come in and talk it through.
Where are you located?
We are based in a converted loft in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at 30(A) Maujer St, Suite 2A. We see patients on Thursdays and Saturdays.
You don't have to feel this way every month
If PMDD is affecting your relationships, your work, or just your ability to feel like yourself, there is another way forward. We would love to help you find it. Contact our holistic doctor in Brooklyn, NY to schedule an appointment.