--- title: Does job stress increase menstruation-related symptoms, and does psychological distress play a role? description: Yes, high job demands and low coworker support were linked to worse menstruation-related symptoms, and psychological distress appeared to be an important fact url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/job-stress-psychological-distress-and-menstruation-related-symptoms-in-female-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does job stress increase menstruation-related symptoms, and does psychological distress play a role? Survey study, 2025 # Does job stress increase menstruation-related symptoms, and does psychological distress play a role? Yes, high job demands and low coworker support were linked to worse menstruation-related symptoms, and psychological distress appeared to be an important factor. This is a cross-sectional study so it cannot prove that stress causes symptoms. Early or limited evidence 1,818 Japanese full-time female employees aged 20-44 not taking contraceptives ## What they did Cross-sectional online survey in August 2023 of 1,818 Japanese full-time female employees aged 20-44 not taking contraceptives. Participants completed questionnaires about job stress (demands, control, coworker support, supervisor support), psychological distress, and menstruation-related symptoms. ## What they found Of 1,818 women, 995 (54.7%) had severe menstruation-related symptoms. High job demands were associated with symptoms (odds ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.27-1.84). Low coworker support was associated with symptoms (odds ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.22-2.02). Job control and supervisor support were not associated. Psychological distress accounted for 48.4% of the effect of job demands and 44.1% of the effect of low coworker support. ## What it means for you Women in stressful jobs with high demands and poor coworker support may be more likely to experience menstruation-related symptoms, partly because stress increases psychological distress. Because this is a cross-sectional study, we cannot be sure whether stress causes symptoms or symptoms cause stress. 1,818 Women surveyed 54.7% With severe menstruation-related symptoms 1.57 Increased odds with low coworker support ## About the study Original title Job Stress, Psychological Distress, and Menstruation-Related Symptoms in Female Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study Authors Sasaki N, Watanabe K, Egawa M et al. Journal BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Year 2025 Study design Survey study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.18153](https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.18153) Original abstract Objective: This study examined the relative contributions of mediation and interaction by psychological distress to the association between job stressors and menstruation-related symptoms. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Online survey in August 2023. Population: Japanese full-time female employees aged 20-44 not taking contraceptives. Methods: Four-way decomposition analysis was used to estimate the relative contributions of psychological distress (mediation and interaction) to the potential pathways from job stressors and menstruation-related symptoms. Main outcome measures: The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire assessed menstruation-related symptoms before and during menstruation. Results: Of 1818 participants, 995 (54.7%) demonstrated severe menstruation-related symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression showed that high job demands (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.27-1.84) and low coworker support (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.22-2.02) were associated with menstruation-related symptoms whereas job control and supervisor support were not. Relative excess risks due to interaction with psychological distress indicated were positive and large in coworker support (RERI = 1.04, 95% CI: -0.34-2.41). In the four-way decomposition analysis, the pure indirect effect (48.4%) and controlled direct effect (37.8%) accounted for a large part in job demands. In contrast, the proportion attributable interaction (44.1%) dominated the total effect and controlled direct effect (15.6%) accounted for fewer effects in coworker support. Conclusions: Psychological distress appeared to be an important determinant of menstruation-related symptoms in relation to job stressors. This study suggested that reducing job demands and improving coworker support accompanied with mental health care can mitigate the adverse effect of job stressors on menstruation-related symptoms. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Review, 2025 How do stress hormone levels change during the menstrual cycle and how does this affect health? Systematic review, 2024 Does yoga help reduce PMS symptoms? Review, 2023 What treatments help mental and physical health problems linked to the menstrual cycle? Case-control study, 2014 How common is severe period pain and what causes it? 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