PMS affects women’s relationships and work life

Premenstrual disorders, PMD, have a greater impact on women’s lives, careers and relationships than previously thought.
It can also lead to suicide and premature menopause, research from the Karolinska Institute shows.
– Joint efforts are needed from healthcare providers, researchers and authorities to meet the needs of the women who suffer, says researcher Donghau Lu, Karolinska Institutet.

Up to a third of women of childbearing age suffer from severe premenstrual disorders (PMD), which affects their work life and relationships – but also their long-term health. A study from Karolinska Institutet, led by Donghao Lu, shows that PMD is underdiagnosed and often overlooked.

In the study, the Swedish patient register was used, which made it possible to follow patients over time. The data is anonymized and comes from patient records from specialist healthcare and primary care.

Risk of burnout and separation

The study shows that women with PMD run a 40 percent higher risk of being called off sick for burnout and pain, and that the problems can lead to a risk of separation in relationships.

– The most important result of my research is that premenstrual disorder is a “real” condition where patients struggle with unclear paths in healthcare, difficult diagnostics, ineffective treatment and negative consequences in their lives and health. Joint efforts by healthcare providers, researchers and authorities are needed to meet the urgent needs of those who suffer, says Donghao Lu.

More women suffer from PMD

Donghao Lu has also supplemented his research with data from the online survey study, LifeGene, which shows that five to eight percent of women have the more serious form of PMDS (premenstrual dysphoric syndrome). The answers from the women also show that far more women than those who have received a diagnosis actually suffer from PMD.

– We have a recently published study that shows that women with premenstrual disorders have a higher risk of relationship disorders. We also have research that will soon be published, which shows that women with premenstrual problems have an increased risk of sick leave and unemployment. Both studies are based on the participants from the LifeGene study in Sweden, says Donghaou Lu.

Risk of suicide and accidents

Previous research also shows a link between PMD and long-term health problems such as high blood pressure. But also risk of other serious conditions.

– My research is the first to show that patients with premenstrual disorders run an increased risk of suicide, accidents, postpartum depression, early menopause and severe menopausal symptoms, premature death – and that this eventually contributes to the gender gap in mental health. We also found that use of hormonal contraceptives, especially combined products, can reduce the rate of suicide among women with premenstrual disorders.

Despite the fact that PMD affects so many women, not much research has been done on the subject.

– The reasons are complicated. An important reason is that it involves research at the intersection between gynecology and psychiatry. Awareness of premenstrual disorders is low both in the medical world and in the scientific world, but also among the general public. Additionally, historically and to this day, fewer research funds are given to diseases affecting women compared to male diseases. This is the case in the US, probably also in the EU, says Donghau Lu.