---
title: Do the diagnostic criteria for PMDD correctly identify who has the condition?
description: 20% of women met the diagnostic criteria for PMDD in this study, but 4% of men also met criteria when given the same forms, and people with psychological dist
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/an-empirical-evaluation-of-the-diagnostic-criteria-for-premenstrual-dysphoric-2008/
---

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- Do the diagnostic criteria for PMDD correctly identify who has the condition?

Survey study, 2008

# Do the diagnostic criteria for PMDD correctly identify who has the condition?

20% of women met the diagnostic criteria for PMDD in this study, but 4% of men also met criteria when given the same forms, and people with psychological distress did not necessarily meet the criteria, suggesting the criteria may not be valid.

 Early or limited evidence

Women and men given diagnostic assessment forms

## What they did

Researchers examined whether the diagnostic criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder work properly by giving women and men the same assessment form using sex-neutral language. They looked at whether people with high psychological distress or relationship problems were more likely to meet PMDD criteria.

## What they found

20% of women met the diagnostic criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. 4% of men also met these criteria when given the same assessment form. Self-reported psychological distress and impaired relationships did not predict whether women met the PMDD criteria.

## What it means for you

The criteria for PMDD may not be valid. Men met the criteria when assessed the same way, and people with psychological distress did not necessarily meet the criteria, suggesting the test may not accurately identify the condition. PMDD is supposed to be specific to women and their menstrual cycle, but these findings question whether it truly is. The study did not report the sample size.

20%

of women met PMDD criteria

4%

of men met PMDD criteria

3-8%

reported prevalence of PMDD in women

## About the study

Original title An Empirical Evaluation of the Diagnostic Criteria for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Problems with Sex Specificity and Validity Authors Glenn M. Callaghan, Cynthia Chacon, Cameron Coles et al. Journal Women & Therapy Year 2008 Study design Survey study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/02703140802402396](https://doi.org/10.1080/02703140802402396)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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## Related studies

Cohort study, 2026

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Systematic review, 2026

How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together?

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Does continuous paroxetine or birth control work better for PMDD?

Systematic review, 2026

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Study, 2026

How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?

Systematic review, 2026

Can digital tools help diagnose PMDD?

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