---
title: What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how common is it?
description: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder affects 3 to 5 percent of women of reproductive age and causes severe mood problems and food cravings. It is much more severe
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-symptoms-and-cluster-2009/
---

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- What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how common is it?

Survey study, 2009

# What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how common is it?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder affects 3 to 5 percent of women of reproductive age and causes severe mood problems and food cravings. It is much more severe than regular PMS and significantly disrupts quality of life and work.

 Early or limited evidence

Review summarizing information about PMS and PMDD across multiple studies and sources

## What they did

Reviewed information about PMS and PMDD, including their symptoms, prevalence, and proposed biological and psychological causes.

## What they found

Severe PMDD affects 3 to 5 percent of women of reproductive age. Women with PMDD experience severe dysphoric mood, greater desire and intake of certain foods, and impaired cognitive performance in the luteal phase. Both PMS and PMDD reduce quality of life and work ability. No single cause has been identified and no universal treatment exists yet.

## What it means for you

PMDD is a serious condition affecting a small percentage of women and is distinct from regular PMS. The causes are complex and not fully understood, involving hormones and psychology. Many treatments are being developed but none is ideal for all women. Main limitation: this is a review, not new research.

3-5%

women of reproductive age with PMDD

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Symptoms and Cluster Influences Authors Faustino Ramón Pérez-López, Peter A. Chedraui, Gonzalo R. Pérez‐Roncero et al. Journal The Open Psychiatry Journal Year 2009 Study design Survey study What was tested None (literature review) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2174/1874354400903010039](https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400903010039)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[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/)

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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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