---
title: What causes PMDD and how should it be treated? | Niyora
description: PMDD affects up to 7% of women severely. It results from biological factors interacting with life stress, past trauma, and cultural beliefs, not from hormones
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/understanding-and-treating-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-an-update-for-the-2009/
---

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- What causes PMDD and how should it be treated?

Review, 2009

# What causes PMDD and how should it be treated?

PMDD affects up to 7% of women severely. It results from biological factors interacting with life stress, past trauma, and cultural beliefs, not from hormones alone.

 Early or limited evidence

Not a specific population; literature review

## What they did

Medical literature on PMDD was reviewed to summarize current understanding of causes and treatment.

## What they found

Up to 7% of women have PMDD severe enough to impair daily function. While biological factors are central, sociocultural factors including life stress, past sexual abuse, and cultural beliefs interact with hormonal changes.

## What it means for you

PMDD involves both biological and life factors, not hormones alone. Treatment should address both biological and psychological aspects.

7%

Women with PMDD severe enough to impair function

## About the study

Original title Understanding and treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder: an update for the women's health practitioner Authors Vigod SN, Ross LE, Steiner M Journal Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America Year 2009 Study design Review What was tested Literature review of treatment approaches for PMDD Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.ogc.2009.10.010](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogc.2009.10.010)

## 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/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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

Case-control study, 2026

Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle?

Cohort study, 2023

Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis?

Randomised trial, 2000

How should PMDD be diagnosed and treated?

Study, 2026

What do women in Lahore know about PMDD and do they seek help for it?

Survey study, 2025

Is the Chinese uncertainty anxiety scale reliable for measuring PMS-related anxiety?

Study, 2025

Do women with PMDD who experienced childhood trauma have more trouble recognizing emotions?

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