Hailey Bieber opens up about secret health battle: 'A lonely journey'

Health & FitnessLifestyle
3 Nov 2026 • 12:43 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Hailey Bieber opens up about secret health battle: 'A lonely journey'

Hailey Bieber has shared that she was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) after welcoming her baby boy.

The model and beauty entrepreneur gave birth to a son, Jack, in 2024 – her first child with pop star husband Justin Bieber.

PMDD is a condition which causes severe emotional and physical symptoms in the lead-up to a period.

Hailey told WWD: "After I had my son, I struggled with that [PMDD] a bit, and there's just not a lot of conversation or research around it."

She added: "Conversation, for me personally, makes me feel less alone. When we can identify with each other and have conversations relating to each other and talking about the things we're dealing with and struggling with, I do think it makes it feel like less of a lonely journey."

Her comments come as her beauty company Rhode announced plans to donate US$5 million across three years to the Foundation For Women's Health, a non-profit research fund created to close the longstanding gaps in women's health research.

Rhode was bought by e.l.f. Beauty in 2025.

Katy Brodsky Falco, the founder and executive director of the Foundation For Women’s Health, said of the partnership: "This $5 million gift to Foundation for Women's Health messages very strongly to young women, who are the next generation of leaders, mothers, athletes, change makers, that the long-standing gender equity gap is not acceptable."

"The visibility that Rhode brings is perhaps unparalleled."

Symptoms of PPMD

According to the NHS, those with PMDD can experience:

  • feeling depressed, hopeless, anxious, or worried
  • feeling angry or irritable
  • having less interest in things you normally enjoy
  • feeling overwhelmed or out of control
  • having suicidal thoughts
  • breast tenderness
  • joint and muscle pain
  • feeling more tired than usual
  • having problems sleeping or sleeping too much
  • bloating.

Symptoms of PMDD can be similar to symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), but are more intense.

They can make it difficult to work, socialise and maintain relationships.

Hailey also said that she is trying her best to shine a spotlight on women's health issues because so many of her friends and family members have also struggled with conditions that are under-researched.

She told WWD: "I feel really drawn to women's health. I have a sister who struggles with PMOS [polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, formerly known as PCOS].

"I have lots of friends that struggle with it, with endometriosis, with a lot of different, very specific women's health issues. As a woman, I feel frustrated by the lack of research, the lack of awareness, the lack of certain conversation around it.

"Especially after having my own child. That was just a really intense and special journey that I had. There's so much that happens when you are pregnant, during childbirth. There's so many things that happen leading up to having a child."

The model-turned-makeup guru said she wants to use her platform to push for more awareness of women's health.

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