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. 2025 Jan-Dec:21:17455057251331697.
doi: 10.1177/17455057251331697. Epub 2025 Jun 13.

Patient-identified priorities for a mental health program tailored to premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Sneha Chenji  1   2 , Christine Bueno  1 , May Ly  1 , Sandi MacDonald  2   3 , Rebekka Chartier  3 , Catherine Lunn  3 , Jennifer L Gordon  1   2
Affiliations

Patient-identified priorities for a mental health program tailored to premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Sneha Chenji et al. Womens Health (Lond). 2025 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Background: There are no mental health programs tailored to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Objectives: Examine the content and features that PMDD patients desire in a mental health program.

Design: Anonymous online survey.

Methods: A survey, co-developed with PMDD patients, was distributed to followers of the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) on social media. Respondents rated the importance of addressing various PMDD symptoms, psychosocial consequences, psychoeducational topics, and their preference for various techniques and features.

Results: In total, 308 respondents rated suicidality, feelings of hopelessness and anxiety, and impacts on one's relationship with one's partner and children as important content areas for a PMDD-tailored mental health program. Providing evidence-based information and teaching techniques for managing distressing thoughts and emotions were also highly desired.

Conclusion: Our findings help inform the development of a new mental health program that specifically addresses the unique emotional and psychosocial challenges associated with PMDD.

Keywords: patient-centered; premenstrual disorders; premenstrual dysphoric disorder; psychotherapy; self-help intervention.

Plain language summary

What do PMDD patients need in a mental health program?Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects 1-3% of menstruating individuals and is characterized by cyclical psychiatric symptoms for 1-2 weeks before the start of a period. There are no mental health programs tailored to PMDD. Through an anonymous online survey, co-developed with patients, we examined the content and features that PMDD patients desire in a mental health program. Analysis of 308 survey respondents show that suicidality, feelings of hopelessness and anxiety, and impact on one’s relationship with one’s partner and children were rated as important content areas for a PMDD-tailored mental health program. Survey results also show that evidence-based information and techniques for managing distressing thoughts and emotions were highly desired. These findings highlight patient-informed needs that can help in the development of a new mental health program, specifically addressing the unique challenges associated with PMDD.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Dr. Jennifer L. Gordon is the Clinical Advisory Board Chair for the International Association of Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD). Dr. Sneha Chenji is an independent contractor (Research and Education) for IAPMD.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Percentage of respondents selecting “Extremely Important” (Likert score = 5) for addressing: (a) symptoms associated with PMDD, and (b) techniques preferred in a PMDD program.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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