--- title: Do gynecologists feel as responsible for treating depression as they do for treating severe PMS? description: No. Gynecologists reported different attitudes toward PMDD compared with major depressive disorder, and many did not see treating depression as their job in t url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/obstetrician-gynecologists-attitudes-towards-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-and-2001/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do gynecologists feel as responsible for treating depression as they do for treating severe PMS? Survey study, 2001 # Do gynecologists feel as responsible for treating depression as they do for treating severe PMS? No. Gynecologists reported different attitudes toward PMDD compared with major depressive disorder, and many did not see treating depression as their job in the same way. Early or limited evidence 997 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists surveyed by mail ## What they did Researchers mailed a questionnaire to 997 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists about their attitudes toward diagnosing and treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). About 36% were completed and returned. They compared attitudes by age, gender, and whether the doctor saw themselves as a primary care provider. ## What they found Attitudes toward PMDD were different from attitudes toward MDD. Roughly one in three respondents disagreed with statements about feeling responsible for and confident in treating MDD, but not PMDD. About 41% of doctors who did not see themselves as primary care providers disagreed that treating depression is their responsibility as a gynecologist, compared with 14.8% of those who did see themselves as primary care providers. Younger doctors, women doctors, and those who saw themselves as primary care providers tended to have attitudes more supportive of diagnosing and treating both conditions. ## What it means for you Gynecologists may feel less confident or responsible treating depression than treating PMDD, which could mean some women with depression do not get treated for it in gynecology settings. This was a survey with a low response rate (about 36%), so it may not reflect the views of all gynecologists. 997 gynecologists surveyed 36% response rate 41% vs 14.8% non-primary vs primary care doctors who disagreed depression treatment is their job ## About the study Original title Obstetrician-gynecologists' attitudes towards premenstrual dysphoric disorder and major depressive disorder Authors Hill LD, Greenberg BD, Holzman GB et al. Journal Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology Year 2001 Study design Survey study What was tested No treatment tested; this was a survey of doctors' attitudes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/01674820109049979](https://doi.org/10.3109/01674820109049979) ## 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/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)[Diagnosis experience and healthcare access](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-healthcare-access/) 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 Interview study, 2022 Are doctors correctly diagnosing PMDD or mistaking it for depression or anxiety? Randomised trial, 2000 How should PMDD be diagnosed and treated? Study, 2026 What do women in Lahore know about PMDD and do they seek help for it? Survey study, 2022 Do different healthcare providers differ in recognizing and treating PMDD? Cohort study, 2011 Do Spanish women seek medical advice for premenstrual symptoms? Review, 2000 How should doctors diagnose and treat PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗