---
title: What causes PMDD? | Niyora
description: A review suggests that neurosteroids and stress may be key contributors to PMDD. PMDD is characterized by cognitive-affective symptoms in the premenstrual pha
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-epidemiology-and-treatment-2015/
---

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- What causes PMDD?

Review, 2015

# What causes PMDD?

A review suggests that neurosteroids and stress may be key contributors to PMDD. PMDD is characterized by cognitive-affective symptoms in the premenstrual phase and is distinct from other mood disorders. More research is needed to confirm these mechanisms.

 Moderate study design

Literature review - not a primary research study

## What they did

A literature review synthesized recent research on the causes of PMDD, with focus on neurosteroids and stress. The review explores potential treatment targets and notes that PMDD was recently designated as a disorder in the DSM-5.

## What they found

The review discusses that neurosteroids may be a key contributor to PMDD's clinical presentation and etiology. Stress is also identified as a potential contributor. PMDD's profile, characterized by cognitive-affective symptoms during the premenstrual phase, is unique compared to other affective disorders in its symptoms and cyclicity.

## What it means for you

Understanding what causes PMDD, particularly the roles of neurosteroids and stress, could lead to better treatments. PMDD's recent inclusion in DSM-5 as an official disorder increases research attention. However, this is a review synthesizing existing research, not original new findings, so the specific mechanisms still need additional investigation.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Epidemiology and Treatment Authors Hantsoo L, Epperson CN Journal Current psychiatry reports Year 2015 Study design Review What was tested None - literature review Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s11920-015-0628-3](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-015-0628-3)

## 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/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)

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

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