Studies & Clinical Trials
In the Studies and Clinical Trials registry, we list ongoing research studies which give patients with PMDD or PME a chance to learn about opportunities in which they may wish to participate. We offer this registry as a free service to allow scientists and patients to connect. All studies listed have Ethics Board Approval.
Current Studies & Trials Recruiting Candidates
Please note that IAPMD cannot answer any specific requests about the below studies. Please contact the researcher/establishment directly.
The effects of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) on performance in the workplace/educational setting - Dublin Business School, Ireland - Online Study
This research will explore the relationship between performance and the menstrual phase in those with PMDD.
Looking for: Over 18 years of age. Have PMDD. Be in employment or education and have a regular, predictable menstrual cycle. You cannot be taking any hormone-altering or ovulation-suppressing medication or be color blind/color vision deficiency/any condition affecting the perception of color.
Contact Researcher Katie O’Dowd here with any questions or further information. Take part here.
Survey Studies on Psychedelic Experiences - The Johns Hopkins Center, USA - Online Study
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are seeking individuals to participate in a research study looking at views about psychedelics and the psychological effects of psychedelics. This specific survey focuses on individuals' emotions, beliefs, behaviors, and experiences related to using a drug, specifically in the context of premenstrual or perimenopausal symptoms.
Looking for: Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, have a menstrual cycle, and be willing to respond to an anonymous survey.
Contact Researcher David Yaden here with any questions or further information. Take part here.
Emotional Processing in people with Premenstrual Difficulties - King's College London, UK - Online Study
This study aims to explore whether individuals who have premenstrual difficulties process their emotions differently to those who don’t experience premenstrual difficulties. How we process our emotions involves how we think about our emotions and what we do when strong emotions arise in us. Our long-term aim is to help improve the current approach to diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and support for individuals who experience premenstrual difficulties.
Looking for: Women/AFAB individuals based in the UK and 18+. You should have regular periods and have had a period within the last 90 days. You can apply if you experience premenstrual difficulties or if you have never experienced any. You cannot be taking SSRIs or any hormone influencing medications (hormonal contraceptives such as the pill, patch, implant, injection and vaginal ring, as well as meds like testosterone for gender confirmation treatment).
Contact researcher Ellen Lambert for further information and to apply.
PreDDICT: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorders - Indicators, Causes, and Triggers - National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH), Wales, UK - Online Study
This study will try to understand how an individual’s genes and environment can help identify individuals at risk of psychiatric disorders associated with reproductive events, such as the menstrual cycle. Our long-term aim is to help improve the current approach to diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and support for individuals who are experiencing/have experienced Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)/severe Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Participants will be initially asked to complete an online survey (20-25 minutes). They then might then be invited to provide a genetic sample. For this, they will be asked to complete a consent form and quiz (5 minutes) and will then receive a 'Spit Kit' in the post to will need to return is (a freepost envelope is provided!). Others may be invited to complete an Online Mood Diary where they document their mood every day for two months - The diaries will take about 5 minutes to complete. These additional tasks are an optional extra, though.
Looking for: Women/AFAB individuals who are aged 18+ and who are based in the UK. You have experienced symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder/Severe Premenstrual Syndrome. You are still eligible to apply if you are post-menopausal or are in surgical menopause for PMDD.
Read about this study and sign up here.
Efficacy of the Flo app in improving the health and wellbeing of those with PMS/PMDD symptoms - Flo App, USA - Online Research
This study will investigate how Flo (cycle tracking) app can help women and people who menstruate better manage the symptoms of moderate to severe PMS & PMDD and improve their quality of life and wellbeing.
Looking for: 18+ years of age and living in the US. Currently employed in a full or part-time basis. You must have had a period within the last 90 days. Participants cannot have used the Flo app before. You must not currently be taking SSRIs nor be on contraception that stops or willingly affects the period.
Take the survey here. Read more about the study here. For questions, email the research team at Flo here.
Mood Across the Menstrual Cycle Study - The Johns Hopkins Center for Women’s Reproductive Mental Health - In person (Baltimore or Washington D.C. area)
Researchers are studying relationships between hormone levels and mood symptoms across the menstrual cycle. Participation includes tracking your menstrual cycle, filling out questionnaires, and providing saliva and blood samples, plus three sessions conducted by telephone or video chat.
Looking for: To be eligible, candidates must be between 18 & 50 years of age, be based in Baltimore or the Washington D.C. area, and not use hormonal birth control or psychiatric medications. Compensation is provided.
Apply here. Learn more here. For any queries, contact via here.
Exploring The Self-Management of Premenstrual Symptoms - University of Manchester- Online Study
This research aims to understand people's behaviors and techniques to manage their premenstrual symptoms. We are recruiting any participants who self-define their premenstrual symptoms as severe. Participants are asked to take part in an initial interview to understand more about the research, complete a diary study, and then participate in a follow-up interview.
Looking for: Women/AFAB individuals, 16+ years of age with regular periods who live in the UK. Both with and without PMDD diagnosis can take part, but you must suffer from premenstrual symptoms.
Take part here. For any queries, contact Shona Wilson.
Monitoring Affective State Change with Wearable Technology: Assessing Physiological and Behavioral Mechanisms in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - Center for Women's Mood Disorders at The University of North Carolina - Online Study
The purpose of this research study is to characterize the pathophysiological role of activity changes, sleep impairment, autonomic dysregulation (via heart rate variability), and social engagement as mechanisms of affective state (mood) change during the cyclic depressive symptoms in those with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) or menstrually related mood disorders (MRMD). The rationale for examining the impact of these variables on mood is twofold: 1) activity, sleep, and HRV impairments and increased social media use have detrimental effects on mood and have been a target for interventions for depression, and 2) activity, sleep, HRV, and social media use measures can be collected passively and unobtrusively with commercial devices.
Looking for: Reside in the USA. 18+ years of age with regular menstrual cycles with moderate to severe PMS mood symptoms. You must be an iPhone user and medically healthy. You cannot currently be taking hormonal or psychiatric medications (this includes SSRIs). You will receive compensation for taking part in this study.
Take part here. To learn more, visit the Facebook page here. For any queries contact Lead Researcher Julianna Prim.
An Examination of Mental Health Practitioner Perceptions, Preparedness, and Experience with the Diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - California Southern University, USA - Online Study
This research aims to understand mental health practitioner experiences and preparedness for diagnosing and treating PMDD. While there is research about the patient experience in diagnosing PMDD, but little to no research about clinician experiences. This research will gain insight into the challenges and strengths of PMDD care from a clinician perspective to continue enhancing PMDD Care.
Looking for: US-based Licensed Mental Health Practitioner in good standing and at least three years of professional experience working with psychiatric patients.
If you are interested in taking part, please email Kathryn Scardino who is leading this research.
Hormonal Determinants of Premenstrual Affect Disorders - University of Illinois (Chicago, IL, USA) - In-Person Study
Looking for: Healthy female/AFAB individuals between the ages of 18 - 35 and are able to attend in person in Chicago (must be a non-smoker not use illicit substances)
Looking for participants to take part in a study where they are testing the hypothesis that there are differences in the kinetics of endogenous gonadal hormones contribute to the etiology of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Complete the survey to see if you are eligible to participate in this study. Your time will be compensated. Those with and without PMS or PMDD are eligible to apply.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (Bethesda, MD, USA). Doctors are trying to learn more about the causes of and treatments for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Learn more and apply here. You are invited to call the National Institute of Mental Health at 301-496-9576 for information on our research studies on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders (Chapel Hill, NC, USA). This study offer free diagnostic evaluation and, for those who qualify, free study-related treatment and/or monetary compensation. All studies are intended to investigate the causes of PMDD and will help guide the development of future treatment interventions. Learn more and take the 5-minute screener here.
Submitting Your Research/Looking For Candidates
We often get contacted by researchers looking for patients to take part in their research - and this is something we want to nurture and encourage! If you are a student/researcher and would like to submit your survey to appear on this page, please submit your details below. Please note that you must have evidence of Ethics Board approval to be considered to feature. To ensure high-quality data comes from your research it is vital that you are aware of the strict diagnostic criteria for PMDD. For researchers, we would recommend using The Carolina Premenstrual Assessment Scoring System (C-PASS) - an algorithm for making the DSM-5 diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) using two cycles of daily symptom ratings on the Daily record of severity of problems (DRSP). The C-PASS diagnostic tool has recently been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
What Is The Difference Between An Observational Study & A Clinical Trial?
Observational studies are, as the name suggests when people are observed in normal settings (i.e. Not trialing medications/treatments - just observing their symptoms/behaviors). Researchers may gather information, group volunteers, according to broad characteristics, and compare changes over time. These studies may help identify new possibilities for clinical trials. These studies may include surveys and focus groups and do not involve medical intervention - just observation of symptoms and effects of those symptoms.
Clinical trials are research studies performed in people that are aimed at evaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention. They are the primary way that researchers find out if a new treatment, like a new drug or diet, or medical device is safe and effective in people. Often a clinical trial is used to learn if a new treatment is more effective and/or has less harmful side effects than the standard treatment.
A clinical trial may also look at how to make life better for people living with a life-threatening disease or a chronic health problem.
What To Consider When Applying To Be Part Of A Research Trial/Study
Although IAPMD does request that scientists have their research study methods reviewed and approved by appropriate regulatory bodies prior to posting on this registry, the safety and scientific validity of a study listed on IAPMD.org is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Know the risks and potential benefits of clinical studies and talk to your health care provider before participating.
Those that have received funding from International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Study information is provided by study sponsors and investigators, and they are responsible for ensuring that the studies follow all applicable laws and regulations. IAPMD does work hard to verify the scientific validity or relevance of the submitted information, however, study administrators should be contacted directly for further information and concerns.
Choosing to participate in a Clinical Study is an important personal decision. Before you participate in a study, discuss all options with your health care provider and other trusted advisers. For more information about participating in clinical studies, see Learn About Clinical Studies at clinicaltrials.gov, which includes questions that you might want to ask before deciding to participate in a study.
We make every effort to keep these trials listed up to date - if you notice any changes/additions that need to be made please do let us know by contacting us here.
For more information about using the information on iapmd.org, please also see Terms and Conditions. Please also see the IAPMD Medical Disclaimer for further information.