---
title: Is PMS or PMDD linked to eating disorders like bulimia and binge eating?
description: Yes. Women with PMDD had 7 times higher odds of bulimia nervosa and women with PMS had 2.5 times higher odds of bulimia, but neither was strongly linked to bi
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-with-2016/
---

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- Is PMS or PMDD linked to eating disorders like bulimia and binge eating?

Survey study, 2016

# Is PMS or PMDD linked to eating disorders like bulimia and binge eating?

Yes. Women with PMDD had 7 times higher odds of bulimia nervosa and women with PMS had 2.5 times higher odds of bulimia, but neither was strongly linked to binge-eating disorder.

 Strong study design

8,694 women from a nationally representative epidemiological survey in the US, 2001-2003

## What they did

Analyzed data from 8,694 women in a national survey from 2001 to 2003, asking about lifetime history of bulimia, binge-eating disorder, PMS, and PMDD. Results were adjusted for age, race, income, education, BMI, age at first period, birth control use, and other mental health conditions.

## What they found

42.4% had PMS and 4.2% had PMDD. 1.0% had bulimia and 1.8% had binge-eating disorder. Among those with bulimia: 55.4% had PMS and 17.4% had PMDD. After adjusting for other factors, PMDD was associated with 7.2 times higher odds of bulimia (95% CI 2.3-22.4) and PMS with 2.5 times higher odds (95% CI 1.1-5.7).

## What it means for you

There is a strong link between PMDD and bulimia nervosa. The mood and appetite symptoms of premenstrual conditions might trigger binge eating and purging. This is a large national study, which is a strength. However, association does not mean one causes the other.

42.4%

had PMS

4.2%

had PMDD

7.2

odds ratio for PMDD and bulimia

## About the study

Original title Association of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder with bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder in a nationally representative epidemiological sample Authors Nobles CJ, Thomas JJ, Valentine SE et al. Journal The International journal of eating disorders Year 2016 Study design Survey study Participants 8,694 What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/eat.22539](https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22539)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Eating disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-eating-disorders/)

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