--- title: How common are mental health conditions in women seeing gynecology doctors? description: One in five women visiting a gynecology clinic have a current mental health condition. A screening questionnaire helps doctors identify these conditions, but url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/validity-and-utility-of-the-prime-md-patient-health-questionnaire-in-assessment-2000/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common are mental health conditions in women seeing gynecology doctors? Survey study, 2000 # How common are mental health conditions in women seeing gynecology doctors? One in five women visiting a gynecology clinic have a current mental health condition. A screening questionnaire helps doctors identify these conditions, but it rarely leads to actual treatment. Moderate study design 3000 women at 7 obstetrics-gynecology outpatient clinics ## What they did 3000 women at 7 gynecology clinics completed the PRIME-MD PHQ mental health screening questionnaire. Doctors assessed whether the questionnaire was useful. Mental health professionals made independent diagnoses. Researchers measured impact on daily activities, missed work, doctor visits, and stress. ## What they found One in five women had current mental health disorders. Women with a PHQ diagnosis had more difficulty with daily activities, more days unable to work, more doctor visits, and more stress than women without these diagnoses. Most doctors said the questionnaire was useful for making management decisions. However, the diagnosis rarely led to women being referred for treatment. ## What it means for you Mental health conditions are common in women, especially those visiting gynecology doctors. The questionnaire is good at identifying these conditions, but there is a gap between identifying a problem and actually getting women treatment. This is not about treating a condition but about screening and diagnosis. 3000 women Sample size 1 in 5 Rate of mental health disorders 7 clinics Number of sites ## About the study Original title Validity and utility of the PRIME-MD patient health questionnaire in assessment of 3000 obstetric-gynecologic patients: the PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire Obstetrics-Gynecology Study Authors Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Kroenke K et al. Journal American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Year 2000 Study design Survey study Participants 3,000 What was tested None - testing a screening questionnaire, not a treatment Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1067/mob.2000.106580](https://doi.org/10.1067/mob.2000.106580) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) 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 Randomised trial, 2026 Does mindfulness training reduce PMS symptoms and fear about childbirth? Randomised trial, 2019 Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD? Systematic review, 2026 Can mindfulness, yoga or qigong help with PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2026 Does yoga or Pilates help manage PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2026 Does education about PMS symptoms help reduce pain and stress? Survey study, 2026 Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗