Survey study, 2011
What causes irregular periods and period pain in working women?
Stress appeared to be the main factor linked to both irregular periods and period pain. However, this study only shows associations, not whether stress actually causes these problems.
What they did
Researchers asked 8,150 Japanese female workers to complete a questionnaire about their menstrual cycles, period pain, stress, smoking, age, weight, temperature at work, humidity, and number of children they had given birth to. 2,166 women responded.
What they found
17.1% of women who responded had irregular menstrual cycles, and 77.6% experienced some degree of period pain. Irregular cycles were linked to stress, smell of cigarettes, age, and smoking habits. Period pain was linked to stress, high temperature and humidity at work, age, BMI, and the number of births.
What it means for you
Stress was identified as an important factor for both problems. But this study only shows connections, not cause and effect. Only 26.6% of women surveyed responded, so results may not represent all Japanese workers. The study was done in Japan only.
17.1%
women with irregular menstrual cycles
77.6%
women experiencing some period pain
2,166
women responded to questionnaire
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual cycle and menstrual pain problems and related risk factors among Japanese female workers
- Authors
- Nohara M, Momoeda M, Kubota T et al.
- Journal
- Industrial health
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 8,150
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.ms1047
Topics
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