Hailey Bieber has disclosed that she has been privately managing premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) since welcoming her son, Jack, two years ago. The 29-year-old model and beauty entrepreneur shared her experience in a recent interview with WWD, highlighting the lack of widespread conversation and research surrounding the condition.
PMDD is described by Johns Hopkins Medicine as a significantly more severe form of premenstrual syndrome that can be linked to a serotonin deficiency. Bieber noted that discussing her struggles has helped her feel less alone, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences. "Conversation, for me personally, makes me feel less alone," she told the outlet. "When we can identify with each other and have conversations relating to each other and [talk] about the things we're dealing with and struggling with, I do think it makes it feel like less of a lonely journey."
Bieber stated she is actively platforming women's health issues, partly inspired by family members who have also faced under-researched conditions. Her older sister, Alaia Baldwin, has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To address these gaps, Bieber's company, Rhode, has pledged to donate $5 million to the Foundation For Women's Health over three years. This organization focuses on research to bridge disparities in women's health. The initiative follows Rhode's acquisition by e.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion.
Katy Brodsky Falco, founder and executive director of the Foundation For Women's Health, acknowledged the significance of Rhode's contribution, stating that the $5 million gift sends a strong message about the unacceptable gender equity gap in health research to the next generation of leaders. She also noted the considerable visibility Rhode brings to the cause.
This is not Bieber's first public health challenge. In 2022, she experienced a mini-stroke and subsequently underwent heart surgery. Reflecting on that event, she mentioned it heightened her awareness of her body and the importance of proactive health management. This fascination with health, she explained, also influenced her decision to start Rhode skincare. "My obsession with skincare also comes from my obsession with medicine," she said.
Earlier this year, Rhode was recognized by Time as one of the 100 Most Influential Companies. Bieber previously described the period following the sale of her company as one of significant personal and professional growth, pushing her to understand her capacity as a woman, businesswoman, mother, wife, and friend.
As an entrepreneur, Bieber expressed her ambition to continue expanding her business ventures, though she indicated a preference for a deliberate pace rather than rushing new developments. Rhode was launched in June 2022 with an initial product line of three items: Peptide Glazing Fluid, Barrier Restore Cream, and Peptide Lip Treatment.