--- title: How common is PMDD in African women and what factors are linked to it? description: 6.1% of Nigerian university students had PMDD. It was strongly linked to depression (17 times more likely), anxiety, panic disorder, painful periods, and a pe url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-amongst-nigerian-university-students-prevalence-2008/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is PMDD in African women and what factors are linked to it? Survey study, 2008 # How common is PMDD in African women and what factors are linked to it? 6.1% of Nigerian university students had PMDD. It was strongly linked to depression (17 times more likely), anxiety, panic disorder, painful periods, and a personality trait called neuroticism. Early or limited evidence 410 female Nigerian university students ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 410 female university students in Nigeria. They completed questionnaires about demographics, menstruation, personality (Big Five Inventory), and mental health (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview). ## What they found 6.1% met PMDD criteria. Linked to older age (p=0.001), painful menstruation (p=0.006), and high neuroticism (p=0.019). Women with PMDD had much higher rates of dysthymia (odds ratio 3.82), major depression (OR 17.00), panic disorder (OR 4.39), and generalized anxiety (OR 1.21). ## What it means for you PMDD rate in African women is similar to Western countries. Strong links to mood and anxiety disorders, and the personality trait of neuroticism. Single country study of young women only; may not represent all African women. 6.1% PMDD prevalence OR 17.00 depression risk OR 4.39 panic disorder risk ## About the study Original title Premenstrual dysphoric disorder amongst Nigerian university students: prevalence, comorbid conditions, and correlates Authors Adewuya AO, Loto OM, Adewumi TA Journal Archives of women's mental health Year 2008 Study design Survey study Participants 410 What was tested None; observational study using questionnaires. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00737-008-0213-4](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-008-0213-4) ## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[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 Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Interview study, 2022 Are doctors correctly diagnosing PMDD or mistaking it for depression or anxiety? Survey study, 2001 How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how is it related to other psychiatric conditions? Non-randomised trial, 2008 Can the Sheehan Disability Scale measure whether treatments work? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Survey study, 2026 Does the Chinese version of the PMS screening questionnaire work well? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗