PMDD
This is an active research project on the topic of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), with a focus on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
What is PMDD?
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS.
There is a sudden drop in emotions - everything becomes very dark. Anything can quickly trigger anger and irritability. Feelings of hopelessness arise. Physical sensations are present, but they are overshadowed by the dark and heavy mental state. After about a week, there is a sudden uplift. It's as if an ON switch has been pressed, and suddenly, the perspective on life returns to normal - positive, fun, interesting, and exciting. This occurs in a predictable pattern: every month, at the same time.
It is a debilitating state.
How many women experience PMS & PMDD?
Zooming In: PMDD
The prevalence of PMDD in women varies widely across different populations and studies. One common data set suggests that PMDD affects about 5.5% (opens in a new tab) of women of reproductive age. Estimates can range from 3 to 8% (opens in a new tab) of all menstruating women.
However, these numbers may differ significantly by region. For instance, in Europe, the prevalence has been reported as low as 1.1% among Spanish women, 2.1% among Polish women, and 3.1% among Swiss women (opens in a new tab).
More examples include a prevalence of 2.4% in Korean women, 3.3% in Bulgarian women, 7.7% among female university students in Jordan, and even 17.6% among young adult women in southern Brazil (opens in a new tab).
It's important to note that while strict criteria may suggest a prevalence of 3-8% among women of reproductive age, the number of women who experience symptoms severe enough to cause distress and impairment could be higher, possibly affecting 13-18% (opens in a new tab) of women.
In 2019, there were about 1.9 billion women of reproductive age (opens in a new tab) worldwide. If we estimate that 8% of these women experience PMDD, that would roughly translate to about 152 million women affected by PMDD globally. This is obviously a rough estimate, as the percentage of women experiencing PMDD can vary due to multiple factors. Actual number can even be higher due to underreporting.
The DSM-5 reports a 1.8% to 5.8% 12-month prevalence of PMDD among menstruating women in the United States.
In 2021, the population of women ages 15-44 in the United States was approximately 65.1 million (opens in a new tab). Using the DSM-5 prevalence rate for PMDD:
- At 1.8%, about 1.17 million women (65.1 million * 1.8%) would be affected by PMDD.
- At 5.8%, about 3.77 million women (65.1 million * 5.8%) would be affected by PMDD.
Zooming Out: PMS
The most common statistic for the prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) seems to center around the fact that a significant majority of women experience PMS symptoms to some degree.
For example:
- A review on StatPearls notes that the pooled prevalence of PMS among women of reproductive age worldwide is about 47.8% (opens in a new tab).
- The Office on Women's Health (opens in a new tab) states that over 90% of women report some premenstrual symptoms, such as bloating, headaches, and moodiness.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis on NCBI shows a pooled prevalence rate of PMS at 48% (opens in a new tab), with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 33% to 63%.
- Another study cited in NCBI reports a pooled prevalence of 51.3% (opens in a new tab), with studies conducted mostly in Asia, the Middle East, and partly in European countries, which indicates a high level of heterogeneity in PMS prevalence.
These figures suggest that while there is variability in the reported rates, PMS is a very common condition affecting women worldwide. However, the prevalence can vary greatly depending on the population studied and the specific criteria used for defining PMS.
Heads up: Take the above figures with a grain of salt. Pinning down solid data is challenging, and it should raise the question — what's the statistical method used behind these stats?
Structure of this research
I have primarily included links to most of the papers and resources I've read. I have refrained from adding my interpretations or thoughts for each due to time constraints. Additionally, this approach may encourage you to form an unbiased opinion without the influence of my personal commentary on the subject.
The fact that a paper is listed in the archive does not mean I agree with it or promote its findings. It simply means i read it.
This research is an ongoing effort that has already encompassed over a year of extensive hours dedicated to reading academic papers, researching proposed treatments, and engaging with women globally.
Goal
Understand the current state of the matter.