PMDD: How it's affecting women around the world

PMDD:它如何影响全球女性

What in the World

2026-06-25

11 分钟
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For some women, the two-week luteal phase of their menstrual cycle can be extremely disruptive and life altering. PMDD or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is mental health disorder directly linked to regular hormonal fluctuations that take place during a cycle. People living with PMDD can experience anger, anxiety, severe depression, and even suicidal thoughts which then stops shortly after menstruation begins. Two women, Shariya in the US and Janna in Germany tell us how PMDD has impacted them. There’s very little scientific research about why PMDD happens and the signs or symptoms can be missed by doctors. We hear from BBC Health Reporter Ruth Clegg, who’s been reporting on how social media has shifted perceptions of the disorder, and led to changes around how doctors screen for symptoms. If you are affected by any of the issues in this episode, or suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden, Ash Mohamed and Adam Chowdhury Video Journalist: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde
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  • For me, it honestly feels like I become a completely different person for one or two weeks every month.

  • A lot of women don't even know where to go for help.

  • I used to experience depressive episodes, cramps that would be so severe.

  • Imagine feeling extremely anxious, depressed, even suicidal for two weeks every single month.

  • You're tired, sore, bloated, on edge, and then suddenly your period comes and that all fades away.

  • That's what happens to women who have PMDD, premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

  • It affects about 5% of women around the world.

  • And just to warn you, one of the symptoms

  • that we're going to be talking about today is that you can get suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

  • We're also going to break down what is known about the condition and what it's like living with it.

  • I'm Hannah and this is What in the World from the BBC World Service.

  • Going to find out more about this now from our BBC health reporter Ruth Clegg.