Help us find the causes and triggers of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and inform better care in the future

Posted January 20th 2026

Chloe has been researching the causes and triggers af premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) - find out how you can help and inform better care for people affected in the future.

My work in hormonal mental health research

My name is Chloe Apsey, and I am a Research Assistant and PhD student at Cardiff University.

For the past five years, I have worked with Professor Arianna Di Florio on the PreDDICT study (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorders: Indicators, Causes and Triggers), which investigates how hormonal fluctuations affect mental health, particularly in relation to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

What drew me to this area of research?

My interest in hormonal mental health developed through personal experience and by observing how hormonal contraception and reproductive hormone changes affected the mood and wellbeing of people close to me.

These changes were often significant yet rarely acknowledged in education or healthcare settings.

Discovering Professor Di Florio’s research provided a framework to explore these experiences scientifically. Over the past five years, research and public discussion in this area have grown, further highlighting how urgently this work is needed.

Barriers to care for people with PMDD

One of the biggest challenges for people with PMDD is accessing appropriate care. There is still limited education about PMDD and the impact of reproductive hormones on mental health in medical training.

Because premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is common, the severity of PMDD is often misunderstood or dismissed, leaving many individuals to advocate for themselves.

Encouragingly, awareness and research are improving, and this is beginning to influence clinical conversations.

Tracking symptoms matter

Prospective symptom tracking across the menstrual cycle is essential. From a research perspective, it allows us to clearly distinguish PMDD from PMS.

Clinically, it helps identify whether someone is experiencing PMDD, premenstrual exacerbation, or another mood disorder.

What matters most is not just symptom severity, but how symptoms change across the cycle, which can guide treatment decisions.

For anyone who suspects their mental health may be linked to hormonal changes, tracking symptoms alongside the menstrual cycle can be a powerful first step. Support organisations such as the The International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) and the PMDD Project also offer reliable guidance.

While challenges remain, growing research and advocacy give me hope that access to understanding and care will continue to improve.

Make a difference – take part in the PreDDICT study!

Help us find the causes and triggers of PMDD so we can help inform better treatment in the future.

The study is open to anyone who has experienced severe PMS, symptoms or a diagnosis of PMDD during their lifetime. This includes people who no longer have periods due to the menopause or treatment.