Cohort study, 1995
Do working conditions affect PMS symptoms?
Yes. A study of 539 hospital workers found that physical demands like lifting and work stress were associated with worse perimenstrual symptoms including pain and swelling.
What they did
539 hospital workers completed a questionnaire about seven perimenstrual symptoms and their working conditions in a retrospective cohort study.
What they found
Only 8% of women experienced no symptoms. Lower abdominal pain was the most common symptom (58% prevalence) and was associated with lifting weights. Back pain (44% prevalence), leg pain, swelling, and headache were associated with time pressure and fast work speed.
What it means for you
Physical labor and work stress may worsen PMS symptoms. This questionnaire study shows association, not proof of cause. The findings suggest that occupational health research on women workers needs to account for perimenstrual symptoms.
539
hospital workers studied
58%
with lower abdominal pain
44%
with back pain during menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Perimenstrual symptoms and working conditions among hospital workers in Quebec
- Authors
- Tissot F, Messing K
- Journal
- American journal of industrial medicine
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 539
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700270405
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2025
Does digital healthcare help manage period pain and PMS?
Cohort study, 2024
Does psychological distress in adolescence predict menstrual symptoms in adulthood?
Systematic review, 2020
Does Vitex agnus-castus help cyclic breast pain?
Case-control study, 2014
How common is severe period pain and what causes it?
Systematic review, 2010
Does acupuncture treat premenstrual syndrome?
Survey study, 2026
Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls?