- Hailey Bieber is sharing her experience with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and how her diagnosis inspired her growing involvement in women’s health research.
- PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual disorder that can cause debilitating physical and psychological symptoms that interfere with daily life.
- An estimated 1.6% of women and girls worldwide meet the strict diagnostic criteria for PMDD, affecting approximately 31 million people.
- Treatment options include certain FDA-approved antidepressants and birth control pills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and lifestyle changes such as stress management and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.
Hailey Bieber is sharing her experience with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition she says has fueled her growing interest in women’s health research.
“As a woman, I feel frustrated by the lack of research, the lack of awareness, the lack of certain conversation around it,” Bieber told WWD.
Motherhood has also shaped her perspective. Bieber welcomed her son, Jack Blues, with her husband, Justin Bieber, in 2024, describing the experience as a “really intense and special journey.”
She also shared that she “struggled” with PMDD after giving birth, noting that there’s “not a lot of conversation or research around it.”
“When we can identify with each other and have conversations relating to each other and talking about the things we’re dealing with and struggling with, I do think it makes it feel like less of a lonely journey,” Bieber said.
PMDD is a complexcondition that causes severe physical and psychological symptoms that typically occur in the days or weeks leading up to menstruation.
“What distinguishes PMDD from the more common PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is the severity of the symptoms and how significantly they can interfere with daily functioning,” Sari Eitches, MD, dual board certified physician and medical advisor to Terra Mare, told Healthline.
“Another defining feature is the timing: symptoms typically worsen in the week or two before a period, resolve within a few days after menstruation begins, and are minimal or absent during the rest of the cycle,” she said.
Eitches also noted that PMDD is a chronic condition that can affect women at any stage of their reproductive lives, from adolescence through perimenopause, as long as they are having menstrual cycles.
“It is caused by a sensitivity to cyclic hormonal and neurotransmitter fluctuations, so [it] can occur in anyone with a menstrual cycle, though stages of hormonal fluctuation- including postpartum, weaning breastfeeding, and perimenopause- can be a trigger,” she added.
According to research published in 2024, approximately 1.6% of women and girls meet the strict diagnostic criteria for PMDD, equivalent to an estimated 31 million people worldwide.
A higher percentage of 3.2% have a provisional diagnosis, meaning a healthcare professional may believe a person has PMDD, but symptoms have not been measured for a sustained amount of time to meet the criteria for a confirmed diagnosis.
Eitches said that women with a personal or family history of depression or anxiety may be more prone to developing PMDD, as are women with a family history of PMDD itself.
“PMDD is understood to be caused by a combination of heritable biological sensitivities and environmental triggers. These can include a history of trauma, chronic stress, and other chronic medical conditions,” she noted.
Eitches also said that you should consider seeing a doctor if your symptoms are severe enough that they’re interfering with your ability to go to work or school, maintain your relationships, or participate in your life in the same way that you do during the other weeks of the month.
Treatment options for PMDD
- Antidepressants: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for PMDD: sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), and paroxetine (Paxil) HCI.
- Birth control pills: The FDA has approved a birth control pill that contains drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol (Yaz).
- Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin may help with physical symptoms like cramps and muscle aches.
Lifestyle changes may also help manage PMDD symptoms, including practicing relaxation techniques, eating a balanced diet, limiting sugary and salty foods, and getting regular physical activity.
Eitches noted that getting enough high quality sleep and resting on a consistent schedule is also important.
“I also recommend focusing on a whole-foods-based diet, limiting added sugar and caffeine, and avoiding cigarette smoking,” she said.
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