--- title: How common is PMDD in midlife women, and what raises the risk? description: In this large community study, about 6.4% of women who tracked symptoms daily actually met the criteria for PMDD. Lower education, a past history of major dep url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevalence-and-predictors-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd-in-older-2002/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is PMDD in midlife women, and what raises the risk? Cohort study, 2002 # How common is PMDD in midlife women, and what raises the risk? In this large community study, about 6.4% of women who tracked symptoms daily actually met the criteria for PMDD. Lower education, a past history of major depression, and current smoking were linked to higher odds of PMDD, while not working outside the home was linked to lower odds. Moderate study design 4164 women aged 36-44 in the community; 513 of them completed detailed daily symptom tracking ## What they did Researchers surveyed 4164 women aged 36-44 about premenstrual symptoms using a questionnaire. From this group, 976 women were interviewed about their health and life circumstances, and 513 of them went on to track their symptoms daily for one menstrual cycle to confirm a PMDD diagnosis. ## What they found 33 of 513 women (6.4%) met full criteria for PMDD based on daily tracking. 14 women (2.7%) had PMDD with no prior history of depression. PMDD was linked to lower education (OR=2.3), a history of major depression (OR=3.6), and current smoking (OR=4.1). Women not working outside the home were less likely to have PMDD (OR=0.2). ## What it means for you PMDD affects a meaningful share of midlife women and is tied to certain life and health factors, suggesting it deserves more attention from doctors. A limitation is that only about half of the eligible women agreed to the detailed daily tracking, and symptoms were only checked over one cycle. 6.4% women confirmed to have PMDD OR=3.6 increased odds of PMDD with past depression OR=4.1 increased odds of PMDD with current smoking ## About the study Original title Prevalence and predictors of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in older premenopausal women. The Harvard Study of Moods and Cycles Authors Cohen LS, Soares CN, Otto MW et al. Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 2002 Study design Cohort study Participants 4,164 What was tested No treatment tested; this was an observational study of symptom prevalence and risk factors Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(01)00458-x](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(01)00458-x) ## 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/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Review, 2002 Are women more likely to get depression, especially due to hormonal changes? Randomised trial, 2001 Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders? Survey study, 2026 Are women who feel mood changes from birth control pills at higher risk for PMDD and postpartum depression? Survey study, 2024 How common are PMS and PMDD in young Turkish women and what factors are linked to them? Lab study, 2018 How does depression affect menstrual function and fertility in women? Review, 2014 Are mental health problems linked to gynecological conditions like PMS and PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗