---
title: What is PMDD and how is it different from PMS? | Niyora
description: PMDD is a severe form of PMS with intense mood symptoms like depression and anxiety. Recognizing PMDD as a distinct condition has helped doctors understand it
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/diagnosis-and-treatment-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-1997/
---

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- What is PMDD and how is it different from PMS?

Study, 1997

# What is PMDD and how is it different from PMS?

PMDD is a severe form of PMS with intense mood symptoms like depression and anxiety. Recognizing PMDD as a distinct condition has helped doctors understand it better and develop treatments.

 Moderate study design

Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder

## What they did

This was a review of current medical understanding of PMDD - what it is, what causes it, and how doctors treat it.

## What they found

PMDD is characterized by severe emotional and behavioral changes before the menstrual period. Unlike regular PMS, PMDD causes significant distress. Despite decades of research, the exact biological cause is not yet known. However, classifying PMDD as its own distinct category has helped researchers work with more similar patients, which is advancing treatment research.

## What it means for you

PMDD is recognized as a real medical condition, not a personal failing. Researchers are working to better understand what causes it so better treatments can be developed. However, the underlying biology is still being investigated.

## About the study

Original title Diagnosis and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Davis L, Yonkers KA Journal International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice Year 1997 Study design Study What was tested Review of diagnosis and treatment approaches Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/13651509709024721](https://doi.org/10.3109/13651509709024721)

## 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/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)

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

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Do SSRI antidepressants help treat PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2023

Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Guideline, 2023

How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications?

Review, 2022

What causes severe PMS and what treatments work?

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