---
title: Do PMDD, postpartum depression and perimenopausal depression have the same genetic causes?
description: It's unclear. Researchers have looked at several of the same genes in all three conditions but found inconsistent results. Most genetic research has focused o
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-genetic-architecture-of-reproductive-subtypes-of-depression-in-females-2026/
---

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- Do PMDD, postpartum depression and perimenopausal depression have the same genetic causes?

Review, 2026

# Do PMDD, postpartum depression and perimenopausal depression have the same genetic causes?

It's unclear. Researchers have looked at several of the same genes in all three conditions but found inconsistent results. Most genetic research has focused on postpartum depression, not PMDD.

 Moderate study design

Literature review; not a specific study group

## What they did

Review of genetic research on three types of reproductive depression: PMDD, postpartum depression and perimenopausal depression. Examined which genes have been studied and compared findings across these conditions.

## What they found

Postpartum depression has been much more studied genetically than PMDD or perimenopausal depression. Several candidate genes show up in studies of all three conditions (5-HTT, COMT, MAO-A, TPH1, ESR1) but findings are inconsistent. No genome-wide association studies exist yet for PMDD or perimenopausal depression. Genome-wide studies of postpartum depression (though limited by small sample sizes) show both unique genetic factors and shared factors with other psychiatric conditions.

## What it means for you

The genetic basis of PMDD is still largely unknown compared to postpartum depression. It's not clear whether these three depression types share genetic causes. Larger, better-designed studies including diverse populations are needed to understand genetics and find new treatments. Main limits: most research focuses on postpartum depression and very few genetic studies of PMDD exist.

3

reproductive depression types reviewed

## About the study

Original title The genetic architecture of reproductive subtypes of depression in females Authors Crestol A, Oppenheimer H, Koeppel CJ et al. Journal Frontiers in neuroendocrinology Year 2026 Study design Review What was tested None; literature review Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2025.101230](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2025.101230)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Reproductive hormone sensitivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-hormone-sensitivity/)[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/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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## Related studies

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Can blood markers that predict depression after childbirth also predict PMDD?

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