Actress Lili Reinhart, best known for her role as Betty Cooper on The CW's Riverdale, recently shared her personal experience with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in a candid interview on the podcast Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky.

Reinhart has long been open about various mental and physical health challenges throughout her career, and continues to use her platform to raise awareness about conditions like PMDD.

The 29-year-old actress, who is currently starring in the Mubi series Hal & Harper, discussed how discontinuing antidepressants and birth control revealed underlying health conditions that had previously been masked by medication.

Understanding PMDD Through Personal Experience

During the November 25 episode of the Wondery-produced podcast, Reinhart explained that stopping her medications led to unexpected discoveries about her mental health.

“When I went off my antidepressants, I realized I had a plethora of other things that were being subdued by medication,” she told host Monica Lewinsky, adding that it was “good to know [her medications were] actually doing something.”

She revealed that she has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and PMDD, conditions that had been suppressed while she was on medication.

Premenstrual symptoms include a constellation of mood, behavioral, and physical changes that occur cyclically before menstruation and typically resolve once the menstrual period begins.

The exact cause of PMDD remains unknown, though it affects approximately 5% to 8% of women of reproductive age and is characterized by moderate-to-severe symptoms that cause significant distress and functional impairment.

The condition is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a distinct diagnosis under depressive disorders, distinguishing it from the milder premenstrual symptoms experienced by many women.¹

A Pattern Emerges

Reinhart described experiencing suicidal thoughts in the week leading up to her period, a pattern she only recognized after discontinuing her medications about two years ago.

“So, the week before my period, I feel suicidal,” she explained. “And I didn’t know that I felt that way until I wasn’t on medication.”

Initially, she believed her premenstrual symptoms were typical. “I guess I thought, well, everyone feels like shit before their period,” Reinhart said. But she eventually realized her experience was more severe than typical premenstrual discomfort.

The turning point came when she began noticing a consistent monthly pattern. “I remember texting my mom and saying, ‘I genuinely feel suicidal,’ and then it was a week later I would get my period and go, ‘Oh,’” she told Lewinsky. “And then it kept happening every month.”

Reflecting on her journey, Reinhart said it was “crazy” to realize these feelings had been “bubbling under the surface” while she was medicated.

Managing PMDD: A Proactive Approach

Since recognizing her condition, Reinhart has developed strategies to manage her symptoms more effectively.

“Now I’ve learned and now, you know, I’m on the clock with it and understand, ‘Okay, this is the day that it’s maybe gonna happen, let’s be careful with ourselves a few days prior,’” she said.

She now tracks her menstrual cycle and symptoms using a notes app on her phone.

“I write it down in my little notes app. I keep track of my symptoms and the day I actually get it and stuff like that, so I can sort of track: what day am I gonna feel the worst?”
This tracking system helps her anticipate difficult days and implement self-care measures in advance.

Reinhart’s openness contributes to broader conversations about women’s mental health and the often-overlooked impact of hormone-related disorders.

Reference:

1. Mishra S, Elliott H, Marwaha R. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. [Updated 2023 Feb 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532307/

(Rh/VK)