Model and Rhode beauty founder Hailey Bieber has revealed that she was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) months after the birth of her first child, Jack Blues. She said the emotional symptoms she experienced were far more intense than what she had been used to before pregnancy.
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Hailey Bieber, 29, spoke candidly about an unexpected side of her experience of motherhood. She said the physical and emotional changes a woman goes through during pregnancy and childbirth do not necessarily end when the baby arrives, and can extend into the postpartum period.
In an interview with Women's Wear Daily, Bieber said that becoming a mother made her more interested in women's health, particularly given what she described as a lack of research and discussion about many health conditions that affect women.
She said: "After I had my son, it was an intense and very special journey. A lot happens during pregnancy and childbirth, and there are many changes that come before the baby arrives."
She added that these changes continued after the birth, revealing that she had struggled with premenstrual dysphoric disorder: "After my son was born, I struggled a little with this, and the problem is that there is not much discussion or research about it."
Bieber stressed that women sharing their health and emotional experiences openly helps reduce their sense of isolation, especially when they face symptoms they cannot explain or easily understand.
She continued: "Personally, talking about these thingshelps me feel that I am not alone. When we can relate to one another's experiences, and talk about what we are going through and the difficulties we face, I think that makes the journey feel less lonely."
This was not the first time Bieber had spoken about her health. During an appearance on the podcast She Matters several months ago, she revealed that she was diagnosed with PMDD about six months after the birth of her son Jack.
She explained that she had experienced premenstrual syndrome (PMS) before pregnancy, but the emotional symptoms she faced after giving birth were clearly different, and the days before her period became much harder.
Describing how she felt, she said: "I kept telling myself that it seemed much more intense than before, I mean the period before my cycle. You feel like your whole life is about to end! I don't really understand what's happening. Conflicting thoughts and emotions flood in, and everything, no matter how small, feels like the biggest issue in the world."
She noted that these feelings eased as soon as her period began, and that her symptoms gradually improved over time.
What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
PMDD is a more severe condition than PMS. It can cause intense psychological, emotional and physical symptoms during the week or two before a period.
Its main symptoms include sharp mood swings, irritability, depression and anxiety. These symptoms can clearly affect daily life and personal relationships, and usually begin to ease within a few days of the period starting.
Despite the health challenges she faced after giving birth, Bieber has said that motherhood has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life. She and her husband, the singer Justin Bieber, welcomed their first child, Jack Blues, on 22 August 2024.
She has spoken previously about her happiness at this new stage of life. During an appearance on the podcast Therapuss, she said: "It is so much fun. I always knew I wanted to have children, and I always wanted to become a mother."
She also revealed that she would like to expand her family and have another child, but she does not feel rushed about it. She said: "I definitely want another child. I'm not in a hurry, but I definitely want another child. Maybe I'll have four more kids, or maybe three... I really don't know! I'm taking things one day at a time."
