--- title: How should doctors treat PMDD in women who also have bipolar disorder? description: Very few studies exist on this combination, making treatment challenging. The evidence suggests treating bipolar disorder first with mood stabilizers, then ad url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/comorbid-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-in-women-with-bipolar-disorder-2020/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How should doctors treat PMDD in women who also have bipolar disorder? Interview study, 2020 # How should doctors treat PMDD in women who also have bipolar disorder? Very few studies exist on this combination, making treatment challenging. The evidence suggests treating bipolar disorder first with mood stabilizers, then addressing PMDD symptoms separately, but this is based on treating each condition alone rather than research on both together. Early or limited evidence Women with both PMDD and bipolar disorder (from published literature review) ## What they did Researchers reviewed published studies on treating PMDD in women who also have bipolar disorder. They searched medical databases and found only 4 studies that met their criteria, then combined these findings with general knowledge about treating each condition separately. ## What they found Only 4 published studies exist on treating both conditions together. The review suggests: first, stabilize bipolar symptoms with mood stabilizers. Once mood is stable, treat PMDD with hormonal birth control or consider antidepressants. During acute bipolar episodes, antipsychotics or hormone modulators might help alongside mood stabilizers. The review notes that combined treatment strategies or lifestyle changes may be needed for difficult cases. ## What it means for you This is based on only 4 previous studies, so doctors do not have strong evidence for treating this combination. They must piece together approaches from studies of each condition separately. Much more research specifically on women with both PMDD and bipolar disorder is needed to develop clear guidelines. 4 studies on both conditions 55 total records searched ## About the study Original title Comorbid Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in Women with Bipolar Disorder: Management Challenges Authors Sepede G, Brunetti M, Di Giannantonio M Journal Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment Year 2020 Study design Interview study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2147/ndt.s202881](https://doi.org/10.2147/ndt.s202881) ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Guideline, 2014 What antidepressant should doctors use to treat depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Review, 2025 How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety? Survey study, 2001 How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how is it related to other psychiatric conditions? Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Survey study, 2026 What is the true rate of PMDD, and does it worsen mental health conditions? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗