---
title: What is the economic and work impact of premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
description: PMDD mainly reduces work productivity and how well women function during the week before and after their period, rather than increasing health care costs or c
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2002/
---

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- What is the economic and work impact of premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Survey study, 2002

# What is the economic and work impact of premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

PMDD mainly reduces work productivity and how well women function during the week before and after their period, rather than increasing health care costs or causing women to miss work entirely.

 Moderate study design

1,194 women ages 21-45 in northern California; 56 with PMDD, 151 with severe, 801 with moderate, 186 with minimal symptoms

## What they did

Prospective study of 1,194 women ages 21 to 45 from a northern California health plan. Women recorded their symptoms daily for two menstrual cycles and answered questions about health care use and work productivity. Researchers classified women into four groups based on symptom severity. They compared health care use, work absence, and reported productivity between groups.

## What they found

Women with PMDD reported significantly lower productivity during the luteal phase (the week before the period) compared to women with minimal symptoms (P <0.01). This lower productivity continued for 5 to 10 days after the period started. Women with PMDD did not spend significantly more time in bed or miss more work than other groups. Health care service use increased only for emergency department, obstetrician/gynecologist, or alternative medicine visits as symptom severity increased. Health care spending did not differ significantly between groups.

## What it means for you

PMDD affects women mainly by reducing how well they can work and function day to day, not by forcing them to miss work or driving up medical costs. Women with PMDD keep working but accomplish less during the menstrual cycle. This study was done in one northern California health plan, so results may differ in other places or healthcare systems.

1,194

Women studied

56

Women with PMDD

P <0.01

Lower productivity during cycle

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Authors Anita Chawla, Ralph W. Swindle, Stacey R. Long et al. Journal Medical Care Year 2002 Study design Survey study Participants 1,194 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00005650-200211000-00011](https://doi.org/10.1097/00005650-200211000-00011)

## 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/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Economic burden](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-economic-burden/)

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## Related studies

Review, 2026

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What is the economic burden of moderate to severe PMS or PMDD in Latin American women?

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How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling?

Review, 2019

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Review, 2005

Do antidepressants improve quality of life in women with PMDD?

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