--- title: What is it like for women to be diagnosed with PMDD? | Niyora description: Many women described feeling broken and misunderstood for years before being diagnosed, and getting an accurate PMDD diagnosis was often life-changing, though url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/women-s-experiences-of-receiving-a-diagnosis-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2020/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What is it like for women to be diagnosed with PMDD? Interview study, 2020 # What is it like for women to be diagnosed with PMDD? Many women described feeling broken and misunderstood for years before being diagnosed, and getting an accurate PMDD diagnosis was often life-changing, though coping with it afterward still brought challenges. Early or limited evidence 17 women diagnosed with PMDD in the United Kingdom ## What they did Researchers interviewed 17 women in the United Kingdom in 2018 who had been diagnosed with PMDD by a medical specialist and who also met PMDD criteria on a screening tool. The semi-structured interviews were recorded, written up, and analysed using a method called reflexive thematic analysis. ## What they found The analysis identified four main themes, each with its own subthemes (12 subthemes in total): 'A broken woman', 'Misdiagnosis and the lost decades', 'A life transformed', and 'Negotiating the aftermath'. ## What it means for you Getting the right diagnosis, and getting it sooner, matters a great deal to women with PMDD, since many spend years misdiagnosed and distressed first. The authors say doctors and the public need more awareness and training on PMDD. This was a small, UK-only study of 17 women's personal experiences, so it describes common themes rather than proving how many women in general feel this way. 17 Women interviewed 4 Main themes found 12 Subthemes found ## About the study Original title Women's experiences of receiving a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a qualitative investigation Authors Osborn E, Wittkowski A, Brooks J et al. Journal BMC women's health Year 2020 Study design Interview study What was tested None (interviews about the experience of diagnosis, not a treatment) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-01100-8](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-01100-8) Original abstract Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a complex and disabling condition that affects women of reproductive age, characterised by severe physical and psychological symptoms that occur cyclically and remit following the onset of menses. As the psychological nature and consequences of PMDD often seem indistinguishable from symptoms of other mental health difficulties, this condition presents distinct diagnostic challenges for healthcare professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to explore women's experiences of both having PMDD and of receiving this diagnosis. Methods: Participant recruitment took place in the United Kingdom during 2018. Seventeen women who had been diagnosed with PMDD by a medical specialist and met the clinical criteria for PMDD on the premenstrual symptoms screening tool were interviewed. The data from these semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and inductively analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Twelve subthemes were identified and organised around four main themes: (1) A broken woman, (2) Misdiagnosis and the lost decades, (3) A life transformed and (4) Negotiating the aftermath. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the critical importance of the accurate and timely detection of PMDD, with the aim of preventing women from experiencing severe and prolonged psychological distress. In order to achieve this, there needs to be a greater understanding and awareness of PMDD within both the medical and lay communities, alongside training for healthcare practitioners in PMDD assessment. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Diagnosis experience and healthcare access](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-healthcare-access/) 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 Survey study, 2021 How common are menstrual problems in adolescent girls? Survey study, 1995 What's different about women who seek treatment for premenstrual mood changes? Cohort study, 2026 What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms? Study, 2026 How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains? Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Case-control study, 2026 Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗