---
title: Does having PMDD increase the risk of developing major depressive disorder?
description: In this small pilot study, 7 of 8 women with PMDD developed major depressive disorder within two years. However, this needs confirmation in much larger studie
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-and-risk-for-major-depressive-disorder-a-2001/
---

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- Does having PMDD increase the risk of developing major depressive disorder?

Cohort study, 2001

# Does having PMDD increase the risk of developing major depressive disorder?

In this small pilot study, 7 of 8 women with PMDD developed major depressive disorder within two years. However, this needs confirmation in much larger studies.

 Early or limited evidence

8 women with PMDD and 9 without PMDD

## What they did

A pilot study followed 8 women with PMDD and 9 without PMDD. Women tracked symptoms daily for two menstrual cycles. Researchers then followed both groups over two years and documented which women developed major depressive disorder.

## What they found

Seven of the eight women with PMDD developed major depressive disorder during the two-year follow-up, including all those who had never had it before. Women with PMDD were 14 times more likely to develop major depressive disorder than women without PMDD.

## What it means for you

If confirmed in larger studies, this would suggest PMDD could be a warning sign for future depression. This is a very small pilot study with only 8 women, so the findings cannot be considered proven. The results need to be tested in much larger groups.

8

women with PMDD

7

who developed major depression

14

times higher likelihood of depression with PMDD

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and risk for major depressive disorder: a preliminary study Authors Hartlage SA, Arduino KE, Gehlert S Journal Journal of clinical psychology Year 2001 Study design Cohort study Participants 9 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/jclp.1119](https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.1119)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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