---
title: How common is PMDD among American women? | Niyora
description: Only 1.3% of women met full PMDD criteria using strict diagnostic rules. This is much lower than previous research suggested.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-prevalence-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-in-a-randomly-selected-group-2009/
---

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- How common is PMDD among American women?

Survey study, 2009

# How common is PMDD among American women?

Only 1.3% of women met full PMDD criteria using strict diagnostic rules. This is much lower than previous research suggested.

 Moderate study design

1246 US women aged 13-55 without menopause or pregnancy

## What they did

Random sample study of 1246 US women aged 13-55. Women completed daily symptom questionnaires over 2 consecutive menstrual cycles and had psychiatric screening.

## What they found

Only 1.3% met full DSM-IV PMDD criteria when researchers required symptoms to worsen in the late luteal week, occur on days with marked interference, and happen in 2 consecutive cycles without other mental disorders explaining them.

## What it means for you

PMDD is rarer than many believed when strict diagnostic criteria are used. How we define and measure PMDD matters greatly. Large representative sample but cross-sectional design.

1.3%

met PMDD criteria

1246

women studied

2

consecutive menstrual cycles

## About the study

Original title The prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in a randomly selected group of urban and rural women Authors Gehlert S, Song IH, Chang CH et al. Journal Psychological medicine Year 2009 Study design Survey study Participants 1,246 What was tested None; observational study using standardized symptom tracking. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1017/s003329170800322x](https://doi.org/10.1017/s003329170800322x)

## 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/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)

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.

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