--- title: Does cognitive behavioural therapy help PMDD in young people? description: We cannot say for certain. Almost no studies test cognitive behavioural therapy in people under 18, but one small study of 62 young people found psychoeducati url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/pre-menstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd-in-young-people-what-we-know-about-it-the-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does cognitive behavioural therapy help PMDD in young people? Interview study, 2022 # Does cognitive behavioural therapy help PMDD in young people? We cannot say for certain. Almost no studies test cognitive behavioural therapy in people under 18, but one small study of 62 young people found psychoeducation improved symptoms after 3 months. Early or limited evidence Young people under 18 with PMS or PMDD (one study included 62 young people with PMS) ## What they did Literature review and qualitative study. Researchers searched medical databases from 2019 to February 2022 for studies of cognitive behavioural therapy in young people under 18 with PMS or PMDD. They also started focus groups with young people to create educational materials about PMDD. ## What they found They found no randomised controlled trials testing cognitive behavioural therapy in people under 18 with PMDD or PMS. One study involved 62 young people under 18 with PMS who received psychoeducation or no treatment; those who received psychoeducation had improved symptoms after 3 months. In women over 18, a 2012 meta-analysis of 22 randomised trials found cognitive behavioural therapy had a small to medium positive effect. A 2020 review found different types of cognitive behavioural therapy, including online, group, couples and education alone, all had favourable outcomes. ## What it means for you There is a big gap in research on PMDD and PMS in teenagers. We cannot tell if cognitive behavioural therapy works for young people because almost no studies test it in that age group. Results from studies in adult women may not apply to teenagers. 62 Young people in psychoeducation study 22 Randomised trials of CBT in women over 18 3 Meta-analyses of CBT found ## About the study Original title Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) in Young People: What We Know About It, the Role of CBT as a Treatment Option, and the Development of High-Quality Psychoeducation Material for Clinical Use Authors King J, Wilkinson H Journal BJPsych open Year 2022 Study design Interview study Participants 62 What was tested Cognitive behavioural therapy and psychoeducation Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.314](https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.314) Original abstract Aims: We aim to explain more about PMDD in young people and explore the evidence looking at the role of CBT as an intervention. We aim to develop high-quality psychoeducation material with the involvement of young people, to be able to offer clinically relevant information and empower young people with PMDD. Methods: A literature search was conducted in 2019 and updated in February 2022 using the Cochrane Library, Psych-info, MEDLINE, Cinahl, EMBASE and Google Scholar, to look at the evidence available for CBT in young people with PMDD or PMS. The search included PMS as well as PMDD due to the heterogeneity in definitions used in studies. Focus groups with young people are underway to develop high quality written psychoeducation material about PMDD. Results: There were no specific studies looking at CBT as an intervention in young women under the age of 18 with PMS or PMDD. There was one intervention study with a treatment arm of psychoeducation in 62 young people under 18 with PMS versus a no treatment group (Taghizadeh 2013), with improvement in symptoms after 3 months from baseline reported. There were more studies available in women over the age of 18. The search identified 3 meta- analyses in 2009 and 2012 (Busse 2009, Lusty, 2009; Kleinstauber 2012) and a more recent systematic review (Landolt 2020). Kleinsteiber et al included 22 RCTs, with a median age of 39, and broadly showed CBT to have a small to medium positive effect size, although any conclusions were limited due to the small numbers involved in the individual trials and methodological flaws. Landolt 2020 looked at CBT or elements of CBT as an intervention arm over the last 30 years or so in woman of all ages. Variations of CBT including virtual, group, couple and psychoeducation alone were included, and all were reported to have favourable outcomes. Conclusion: There is a huge gap in research looking at PMDD in the adolescent population. Translating research from adults is not ideal. Increasing awareness and developing psychoeducation is a step in the right direction. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/) 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 Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Systematic review, 2012 How effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants for PMS and PMDD? Systematic review, 2026 What types of talking therapy have been studied for PMS and PMDD? Systematic review, 2026 Do digital tools and apps help reduce PMS and PMDD symptoms? Survey study, 2026 How common are severe PMS and PMDD in young women, and what are the risk factors? Non-randomised trial, 2023 Does a school health education program reduce PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗