---
title: How common is PMDD and how does it affect women's lives? | Niyora
description: About 5% of menstruating women have severe PMDD with significant impairment in functioning. At least another 20% have clinically significant premenstrual symp
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-burden-of-illness-and-treatment-update-2008/
---

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- How common is PMDD and how does it affect women's lives?

Study, 2008

# How common is PMDD and how does it affect women's lives?

About 5% of menstruating women have severe PMDD with significant impairment in functioning. At least another 20% have clinically significant premenstrual symptoms. PMDD affects romantic relationships, parenting, work, and increases health care use.

 Early or limited evidence

Data on menstruating women generally, describing PMDD prevalence and burden

## What they did

This describes the prevalence of PMDD, its impact on women's lives and functioning, and current understanding of what causes it and how it can be treated.

## What they found

Five percent of menstruating women have PMDD with impaired functioning. At least 20% have clinically significant premenstrual symptoms. Women with PMDD experience disruption in relationships and work, and use more health care services. The cause involves dysregulation of serotonin and allopregnanolone. Treatments include serotonin antidepressants, an oral contraceptive with ethinyl estradiol and drosperinone, ovulation-suppressing hormones, anti-anxiety medications, cognitive therapy, chasteberry, and calcium.

## What it means for you

PMDD is a serious condition affecting millions of women with real impact on their lives and relationships. Multiple treatment options exist. Diagnosis requires careful symptom tracking over 2 menstrual cycles to confirm the cyclical pattern.

5%

menstruating women with severe PMDD

20%

with clinically significant premenstrual symptoms

2

menstrual cycles needed to diagnose

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: burden of illness and treatment update Authors Pearlstein T, Steiner M Journal Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN Year 2008 Study design Study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.10.1.90](https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.10.1.90)

## Topics

[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitex/)

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, 2017

What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?

Study, 2026

What treatments work for PMDD?

Study, 2022

What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2019

What causes PMDD and which treatments actually help?

Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

Randomised trial, 2003

What treatments work for PMS and PMDD?

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