---
title: Do women with PMDD have a history of depression or other mental health problems?
description: Yes. 78% of women with PMDD had a lifetime history of other mental disorders, most commonly depression. 29% of those who had given birth reported postpartum d
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevalence-of-axis-i-and-axis-ii-disorders-in-women-with-late-luteal-phase-1990/
---

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- Do women with PMDD have a history of depression or other mental health problems?

Survey study, 1990

# Do women with PMDD have a history of depression or other mental health problems?

Yes. 78% of women with PMDD had a lifetime history of other mental disorders, most commonly depression. 29% of those who had given birth reported postpartum depression.

 Early or limited evidence

78 women diagnosed with PMDD.

## What they did

Interviews with 78 women diagnosed with PMDD. Clinicians assessed their lifetime history of other mental health conditions using diagnostic criteria.

## What they found

78% had a lifetime history of other mental disorders (mostly prior depression). 29% of women who had given birth experienced postpartum depression. 10% had personality disorders. Symptoms worsened during the luteal (premenstrual) phase compared to the follicular phase.

## What it means for you

Depression and PMDD often occur together. Women who have been pregnant are at higher risk of postpartum depression. The connection between these conditions suggests shared underlying factors. Limitation: no comparison group of women without PMDD, relatively small sample, cross-sectional design.

78%

with lifetime history of other mental health disorders

29%

mothers with prior postpartum depression

10%

with personality disorders

## About the study

Original title Prevalence of axis I and axis II disorders in women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder Authors Pearlstein TB, Frank E, Rivera-Tovar A et al. Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 1990 Study design Survey study Participants 78 What was tested None (observational study). Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(90)90126-s](https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(90)90126-s)

## 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/)[Borderline personality disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bpd/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)

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How should doctors diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD?

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