Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
62. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take to ensure better training and awareness of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) among medical professionals, including GPs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17735/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to healthcare professional awareness and training, the Irish College of GPs develops and delivers education on a range of community gynaecology topics including PMDD. Education is delivered in a range of formats from the large scale webinar to the in-depth skills based education in blended, modular format. This is CPD education, which is also available to GPs in training. PMDD is included as a mandatory topic in this course. The Community Gynaecology Course promotes effective communication skills in relation to a range of Gynaecological conditions and procedures
The Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology’s published clinical guidelines on ‘Management of Premenstrual Syndrome’, provides clinicians with a comprehensive tool to diagnose and treat severe PMS.
In relation to awareness more generally, I have recently approved funding for the development of a menstrual health awareness campaign which is currently being developed by the HSE's National Women and Infants Health Programme.
The HSE have proposed an evidence-based approach to designing and undertaking this broad campaign. The first phase will involve a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of current attitudes, behaviours and knowledge of all relevant topics. This important research will underpin and guide the direction of the awareness campaign, which aims to balance information regarding what is normal versus what could be abnormal, and will focus on a range of menstrual health disorders and associated conditions. It is envisaged that a key product out of this research phase will be the development of a communications strategy with recommendations on specific areas requiring focus.
I have also approved funding for the HRB Applied Partnerships Award Scheme specifically for Women’s Health. Up to €1 million from the Department of Health’s Women's Health Fund will be made available for the Women’s Health Applied Partnership Scheme for both 2026 and 2027.
Research themes have been determined and are informed by Ministerial priorities, outcomes of various listening exercises with women, the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce and the HRB’s Women’s health outcomes: An evidence and gap map review commissioned by the Department and published in 2025. Menstrual health is one of the priority themes identified and applications are welcomed on all aspects of this area of women's health, including PMDD.
As the first research programme of this kind in the area of women's health, alongside specific themes focused on areas of unmet need, we are also including a general women's health theme. It is hoped that this dual approach will stimulate interest from a wide range of disciplines and open the door towards filling this longstanding gap in women's health research.
The research call went out to the research community in January 2026 with a deadline submission date of the end of March 2026
