Hailey Bieber Reveals Private Struggle with PMDD After Giving Birth

Hailey Bieber has opened up about the health issue she dealt with privately after giving birth to her first son, Jack, in 2024. In an interview with WWD, the wife of singer Justin Bieber revealed that she was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition that triggers severe emotional and physical symptoms before menstruation.

The admission is more than just a celebrity story. PMDD often escapes medical attention because its symptoms are frequently mistaken for ordinary mood swings. Hailey said she struggled to find adequate information after giving birth. “After having a baby, I was grappling with it, and there wasn't a lot of conversation or research about it,” she said, as quoted by WWD.

She stressed the importance of openness as therapy. “Conversation makes me feel less alone. When we can identify with each other and talk about what we're going through, the journey feels less lonely,” she added. For her, speaking openly is a way to break the stigma while pushing for further research.

Hailey also highlighted similar conditions experienced by relatives and close friends, such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) and endometriosis. “I feel drawn to women's health. My sister grapples with PMOS, many of my friends with endometriosis, and various other specific issues. As a woman, I'm frustrated by the lack of research, awareness, and conversation,” she said.

That concern has translated into concrete action. Rhode, which was acquired by e.l.f. Beauty in 2025, announced a US$5 million donation to support women's health research. The move is described as an effort to close the gender gap in medicine. The founder and executive director of the Foundation for Women's Health, Katy Brodsky Falco, said the donation sends a strong message to younger generations. “This US$5 million gift affirms that the long-standing gender equity gap is unacceptable. The visibility Rhode brings is perhaps unmatched,” she said.

For Indonesia, the issue is relevant. Awareness of PMDD and endometriosis remains low, while access to reproductive health services is uneven. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that endometriosis affects about 10% of women of reproductive age, yet diagnosis is often delayed due to limited understanding. Philanthropic initiatives such as Rhode's can serve as an example for local brands to also support research and education on women's health.

Looking ahead, the question is: will this wave of openness push the Indonesian government and beauty industry to allocate dedicated research funding for women's health? Or will the issue remain talk without real action?