--- title: How common are menstrual symptoms in working women? | Niyora description: The most common symptoms were weight gain and swelling (over 60% of women), followed by anxiety, tension, irritability, fatigue, cramps, breast pain, mood swi url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevalence-of-perimenstrual-symptoms-in-employed-women-1991/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common are menstrual symptoms in working women? Survey study, 1991 # How common are menstrual symptoms in working women? The most common symptoms were weight gain and swelling (over 60% of women), followed by anxiety, tension, irritability, fatigue, cramps, breast pain, mood swings, and food cravings. Symptoms were more common in younger women. Early or limited evidence 594 employed nurses on the West Coast ## What they did Questionnaires were given to all female nurses working at least 32 hours per week in 7 hospitals on the West Coast between October 1987 and June 1988. 594 of 760 respondents met inclusion criteria. ## What they found Symptoms frequently experienced included weight gain/swelling, anxiety/tension/irritability, fatigue, cramps, breast pain, mood swings, and food cravings. Weight gain/swelling was the only symptom experienced by more than 60% of women in all age groups. Symptoms more prevalent in women under 30. Compared to white women, fewer Asians reported cramps and weight gain/swelling. More single women reported food cravings and depression/crying. Fewer women over 30 experienced skin disorders and depression/crying. ## What it means for you Menstrual symptoms are very common in working women, with symptoms varying by age, race, and marital status. Results limited to nurses on the West Coast, so may not represent all working women. 594 nurses surveyed 60% experienced weight gain and swelling 7 hospitals ## About the study Original title Prevalence of perimenstrual symptoms in employed women Authors Lee KA, Rittenhouse CA Journal Women & health Year 1991 Study design Survey study Participants 760 What was tested Survey questionnaire about menstrual symptoms Read the paper [doi.org/10.1300/j013v17n03_02](https://doi.org/10.1300/j013v17n03_02) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/)[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 Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2026 Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls? Randomised trial, 2021 Does hypnotherapy reduce pain and emotional distress in women with PMDD? Randomised trial, 2018 Does swimming reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Survey study, 2016 Do hormonal contraceptives reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 1982 How common are premenstrual symptoms in American women, and what factors affect them? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗