Survey study, 2011

Do women with PMDD experience more physical, emotional, or sexual abuse than other women?

No. Women with PMDD reported similar rates of abuse as gynecological patients and healthy controls, though abuse was common in all groups.

Early or limited evidence 58 women with PMDD, 102 gynecological outpatients, 47 healthy controls in Sweden

What they did

Cross-sectional study in Sweden comparing 58 women with PMDD, 102 gynecological outpatients, and 47 healthy control women. Researchers asked about physical, emotional, and sexual abuse using face-to-face interviews.

What they found

31.0% of PMDD patients reported any lifetime abuse, compared to 39.2% of gynecology clinic patients and 21.3% of healthy controls. Gynecology clinic patients reported physical and emotional abuse significantly more than PMDD patients and healthy controls. Sexual abuse was reported more by gynecology patients than healthy controls.

What it means for you

Having PMDD does not mean someone has experienced more abuse than other women, though abuse is unfortunately common in all groups. The PMDD group was small (58 women) and the study was done only in Sweden, so results may not apply everywhere. People may underreport abuse in face-to-face interviews.

31.0%

PMDD patients reporting any lifetime abuse

39.2%

gynecology clinic patients reporting any lifetime abuse

21.3%

healthy controls reporting any lifetime abuse

About the study

Original title: Prevalence of violence exposure in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder in comparison with other gynecological patients and asymptomatic controls
Authors: Segebladh B, Bannbers E, Kask K et al.
Journal: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica
Year: 2011
Study design: Survey study
Participants: 102
What was tested: None
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01151.x

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