Is wanting to get pregnant linked to worse PMDD symptoms?

Objectives: This cross-sectional study examined the association between pregnancy hope and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) outcomes among full-time working women. Methods: We analyzed an October 2023 survey of nulligravid women aged 20-44 years (N = 1947). PMDD diagnosis and symptom severity were assessed using a DSM-IV-based scale. Logistic and linear regression examined associations with pregnancy hope and tested interaction by marital status. Results: PMDD prevalence was 5.4% with pregnancy hope and 4.8% without. Pregnancy hope was not associated with PMDD diagnosis (crude OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.71-1.80) and remained null after adjustment. Pregnancy hope was weakly associated with higher symptom scores (crude standardized β = 0.059, p = 0.009), persisting after adjustment. Interaction by marital status was not significant. Conclusion: Among full-time workers, pregnancy hope was unrelated to PMDD diagnosis but was weakly associated with subthreshold symptom severity. Longitudinal studies that comprehensively assess multidimensional pregnancy intention, perceptions of menstruation, and work-related constraints are needed to clarify causal directionality and mechanisms.

Reproduced under CC-BY.