--- title: How does PMDD affect eating behaviors, and what barriers do people face seeking help? description: People with PMDD experience disordered eating patterns including binge eating and restrictive eating, but this is very limited evidence from only 13 people in url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/exploring-the-relationship-between-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-and-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How does PMDD affect eating behaviors, and what barriers do people face seeking help? Interview study, 2024 # How does PMDD affect eating behaviors, and what barriers do people face seeking help? People with PMDD experience disordered eating patterns including binge eating and restrictive eating, but this is very limited evidence from only 13 people in the UK. Early or limited evidence 13 people with PMDD in the United Kingdom ## What they did 13 people with PMDD in the UK participated in interviews about their eating behaviors across menstrual cycle phases, their PMDD experiences, and their experiences seeking support. ## What they found Participants described PMDD as severe and distressing, affecting every aspect of life. Eating behaviors fluctuated during cycle phases with patterns consistent with binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. Participants used harmful strategies including purging and crash diets. Few sought eating disorder support, with minimal improvement reported. Barriers included dismissive health professionals and lack of PMDD knowledge. Recommendations included PMDD training for healthcare professionals, specialized eating disorder services, and flexible management options. ## What it means for you People with PMDD may experience serious eating problems tied to their cycle. This is very limited evidence from only 13 people in the UK, so we cannot know how common these problems are or how they compare to eating disorders without PMDD. 13 People with PMDD interviewed 6 Main themes identified ## About the study Original title Exploring the relationship between premenstrual dysphoric disorder and disordered eating: a qualitative study Authors Nkeng RE, Matthews L, Riddell J Journal Research Square Year 2024 Study design Interview study Participants 13 What was tested Interviews about eating behaviors and experiences seeking support Read the paper [doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4875156/v1](https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4875156/v1) Original abstract Abstract Background Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) causes debilitating psychological and physical symptoms during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Previous research has shown a strong association between PMDD and disordered eating; however, there is limited research from the UK on the impact that PMDD has on eating behaviours. This information is needed to inform appropriate interventions and support. This study aimed to explore the eating behaviours of people living with PMDD in the UK, their experiences of seeking support, and considerations for future interventions. Method Qualitative semi structured interviews were conducted with 13 people with PMDD living in the UK. The participants were recruited via an online PMDD support page. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results Six themes emerged: ‘dual personality’ life with PMDD; the struggle for appropriate PMDD management; the destructive impact of life with PMDD; eating behaviours during a PMDD episode; ‘aftermath’ (the impact of disordered eating); and accessing support for PMDD-related eating behaviours. Participants described PMDD as severe and distressing, impacting every aspect of their lives. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis and management were challenging, involving dismissive encounters with health professionals, misdiagnoses, and inappropriate treatment. Their eating behaviours fluctuated during different menstrual phases, showing disordered patterns consistent with binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. Many ‘managed’ their eating habits with harmful strategies such as purging and ‘fad diets’. Participants reported both psychological and physical health impacts of their eating behaviour. Few participants sought eating support, and those who did found minimal improvement. Barriers to seeking help included previous ‘dismissive’ attitudes and a lack of PMDD knowledge among health professionals. Participants recommended PMDD-specific training for health professionals, specialised eating disorder services, increased information dissemination, and flexible management options. Conclusion People with PMDD display disordered eating consistent with eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. This highlights the need for a greater understanding of the potential shared mechanisms of eating disorders and PMDD. Given that the majority of people with eating disorders are women and individuals assigned female at birth, understanding the relationship with PMDD is integral to shaping appropriate interventions and eating support strategies. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [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/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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 Case-control study, 2010 Do women with PMDD crave high-sugar and high-fat foods more than other women? Case report, 2026 Can anxiety and PMDD trigger binge drinking, and can medication help? Interview study, 2026 How does PMDD affect eating behaviors? Survey study, 2026 Is PMS or PMDD linked to eating disorders? Survey study, 2021 Is disordered eating more common in women with PMDD? Case-control study, 1997 Are PMDD and eating disorders related? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗