Keywords

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, PMDD, Substance Use, Women's Health, Psychological Distress

Abstract

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe hormone-sensitive mood disorder affecting about 3–5% of reproductive-age women. It is associated with an altered neurobiological sensitivity to hormonal changes. While PMDD is well documented in psychiatric literature, little research has explored its relationship with substance use. Understanding this relationship is important for health professionals because PMDD is linked to significant impairment, emotional distress, and elevated suicide risk. If substance use serves as a coping mechanism, clinicians should consider menstrual-cycle-related mood changes when assessing addiction risk. This study used a cross-sectional design to examine whether substance use co- occurs with PMDD symptoms and to gather data on covariates, including psychological distress, measured with the DASS-21, physical activity level, measured with the IPAQ, and potential for drug abuse, measured with the DAST-10. Recruitment occurred on the campus of a large public university. 51 women of reproductive age completed an anonymous Qualtrics survey on their personal mobile devices. Results indicated that participants meeting criteria for probable PMDD reported higher rates of substance use, including amphetamine and marijuana use, greater drug- related problems, and substantially higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to participants who did not meet PMDD criteria. Notably, amphetamine use was reported only among participants meeting criteria for probable PMDD.

Thesis Completion Year

2026

Thesis Completion Semester

Summer

Thesis Chair

Scheidell, Joy

College

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Department

Health Sciences

Thesis Discipline

Health Sciences

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

3 years

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Available for download on Saturday, July 31, 2027

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