---
title: How should criminal law treat women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
description: This is a legal argument, not medical research. The author argues that women with PMDD need legal defenses that account for whether the condition affected the
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/that-time-of-month-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-in-the-criminal-law-another-2012/
---

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- How should criminal law treat women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Study, 2012

# How should criminal law treat women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

This is a legal argument, not medical research. The author argues that women with PMDD need legal defenses that account for whether the condition affected their thinking and judgment.

 Early or limited evidence

Not a medical or clinical study - legal analysis

## What they did

The author reviewed legal theory and criminal law to argue that PMDD should be considered in how the legal system determines if someone is responsible for their actions.

## What they found

The author argues that PMDD is a genuine mental health condition affecting mood and behavior, and that it often occurs alongside other stressors in women's lives. The legal system should consider these factors when determining if a woman with PMDD should be held responsible for criminal actions.

## What it means for you

This is a legal and philosophical argument for changing how the legal system treats PMDD, not medical evidence about PMDD treatment or severity. It does not tell you whether any treatments work or how common PMDD is.

## About the study

Original title “That Time of Month:” Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in the Criminal Law-Another Look Authors Rosanna Langer Journal International Journal of Criminology and Sociology Year 2012 Study design Study What was tested None - legal analysis Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2012.01.3](https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2012.01.3)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Legal and forensic](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-legal-crime/)

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.

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