---
title: What is it like for women to live with PMS or PMDD? | Niyora
description: Women report lack of understanding from others and healthcare providers, confusion about their identity, impact on relationships, and difficulty getting diagn
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/women-s-experiences-of-living-with-premenstrual-syndrome-pms-or-premenstrual-2026/
---

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- What is it like for women to live with PMS or PMDD?

Systematic review, 2026

# What is it like for women to live with PMS or PMDD?

Women report lack of understanding from others and healthcare providers, confusion about their identity, impact on relationships, and difficulty getting diagnosed. Better training for healthcare professionals is needed.

 Strong study design

Women living with PMS or PMDD (from 19 global qualitative studies)

## What they did

Scoping review of 19 qualitative studies exploring women's experiences of living with PMS or PMDD.

## What they found

Four main themes emerged: lack of understanding or support from family, friends, and medical practitioners; dual identity; impact on relationships; and difficulties reaching a diagnosis of PMS or PMDD. Lack of understanding from healthcare professionals was highlighted as a key barrier.

## What it means for you

Women with PMS or PMDD need better support and understanding from healthcare professionals and their communities. Healthcare professionals need training to recognize and support these conditions. Main limitations include relying only on qualitative studies and unclear geographic scope.

19

Studies included

4

Main themes identified

## About the study

Original title Women's experiences of living with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): A scoping review Authors Haidarieh-Zadeh C, Morgan J, Gale L et al. Journal Health care for women international Year 2026 Study design Systematic review What was tested None (qualitative review of experiences) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2671885](https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2671885)

## 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/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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

Cohort study, 2024

Do women with severe premenstrual disorders have higher risk of relationship breakup?

Randomised trial, 2023

Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Systematic review, 2021

Are women with PMS or PMDD more likely to think about or attempt suicide?

Randomised trial, 2011

Does a 24/4 birth control pill help women with PMDD improve work, relationship, and social functioning?

Review, 2002

What treatments work best for PMDD?

Systematic review, 2026

What types of talking therapy have been studied for PMS and PMDD?

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