Can You Get SSDI for Endometriosis or PMDD?

Living with endometriosis or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) can feel overwhelming. And if your symptoms have made it impossible to keep steady work, you may be asking if you can get SSDI for endometriosis or PMDD.

These conditions are often dismissed or misunderstood, even though they can cause severe pain, fatigue, depression, and difficulty functioning day to day. And the disability system works in a very rigid way, which means commonly misunderstood illnesses come with special challenges.

So the answer is yes, it’s possible. But just like everything else on your health journey, it’s not easy.

Why Endometriosis and PMDD Are Hard to Prove for SSDI

The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t list endometriosis or PMDD specifically in its “Blue Book” of impairments.

That means you’ll need to show the SSA that your condition is just as severe as other listed disorders and that it prevents you from working full-time for at least 12 months.

Here’s the challenge:

  • Endometriosis often requires surgical confirmation or extensive medical records to prove severity. Many women are told their symptoms are “normal” (even if they’re debilitating). And many go years without a clear diagnosis.
  • PMDD can look similar to other mood disorders, making it harder to show that your symptoms are distinct and disabling.
  • Both conditions may cause invisible symptoms – like extreme fatigue, brain fog, or pain – that are difficult to capture in lab tests or imaging.

Because of this, the SSA denies a lot of valid claims for endometriosis and PMDD at first.

What Evidence Can Strengthen Your Claim

To win an SSDI case for endometriosis or PMDD, you’ll need to back up your application with detailed medical evidence and personal testimony. The more, the better. And you’ll want to be specific.

This might include:

  • Surgical notes, imaging, or pathology confirming endometriosis
  • Records from gynecologists, psychiatrists, or other specialists
  • Documentation of treatments you’ve tried, including hormonal therapy, pain management, or mental health support
  • Statements from your doctors describing how symptoms interfere with work tasks like sitting, standing, focusing, or meeting deadlines
  • A personal journal tracking pain episodes, mood changes, and days missed from work

The stronger and more consistent your records are, the better chance you’ll have at approval.

How an SSDI Lawyer Can Help

If you’ve been denied, or if you’re worried about how to present your case, an SSDI lawyer can help connect the dots for the SSA. We know how to:

  • Work with your doctors to make sure they explain your limitations clearly
  • Organize your records so they highlight the severity and consistency of your symptoms
  • Show how your condition makes it impossible to sustain full-time work, even with treatment
  • Represent you during appeals or hearings to fight for your benefits

You’ve been through enough – and you’ve probably already dealt with enough people not believing you. You shouldn’t also have to battle the SSA alone.

darrell-castleLegal Help That Takes You Seriously

Too often, people with endometriosis or PMDD are told to “tough it out.” There’s a serious misconception about the level of pain and fatigue involved in these conditions. But if your health has taken away your ability to work, you deserve support.

At our Memphis law firm, we fight for your right to SSDI benefits and help you through every step of the process. We gather evidence, strengthen your claim, and represent you before the appeals judge.

And we don’t make anything unless and until we win your case. Even then, it’s only a fraction of your past due benefits. You keep every penny moving forward.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s talk about your case and how we can help you move forward.