--- title: Does workplace stress affect whether women develop PMDD? | Niyora description: Among women already experiencing high psychological stress, having a stable job protected them from developing PMDD symptoms. The link was weaker for women wi url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-association-of-workplace-psychosocial-factors-on-premenstrual-dysphoric-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does workplace stress affect whether women develop PMDD? Cohort study, 2026 # Does workplace stress affect whether women develop PMDD? Among women already experiencing high psychological stress, having a stable job protected them from developing PMDD symptoms. The link was weaker for women with low stress. Moderate study design 2000 full-time Japanese female workers aged 20-39 without PMDD at baseline ## What they did Researchers followed 2000 Japanese women aged 20-39 without PMDD for 6 months. At the start, they measured workplace factors including job demands, control, supervisor support, coworker support, and rewards. They also measured overall psychological distress using a standard scale. At the end, they checked whether women had developed PMDD. ## What they found Job stability reduced the risk of developing PMDD among women with high psychological distress (odds ratio 0.48). High psychological distress itself increased PMDD risk (odds ratio 1.37). These associations were not found in women with low psychological distress. ## What it means for you If you already feel stressed in daily life, having a secure job might help protect you from PMDD. However, this was one study in Japan, and we cannot assume the results apply elsewhere. The study did not test whether actually changing jobs prevents PMDD. 2000 Women followed for 6 months 0.48 Job stability protection factor 1.37 Risk increase from high stress ## About the study Original title The association of workplace psychosocial factors on premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A six-month prospective study on Japanese female workers Authors Iida M, Watanabe K, Egawa M et al. Journal PCN reports : psychiatry and clinical neurosciences Year 2026 Study design Cohort study What was tested None, observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/pcn5.70313](https://doi.org/10.1002/pcn5.70313) Original abstract Aim: This study examined the longitudinal associations between psychosocial factors in the workplace and the emergence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) symptoms among Japanese female workers, with a particular focus on psychological distress as a potential moderator. Methods: We conducted a 6-month follow-up of 2000 full-time Japanese female workers aged 20-39 without PMDD symptoms at baseline. PMDD symptoms were assessed at follow-up using a validated PMDD scale. Psychosocial factors in the workplace (job demands, job control, supervisor and coworker support, and workplace rewards) were measured at baseline using the New Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6 psychological distress scale (K6), and participants were stratified by K6 scores (K6 p = 0.025) and those with high psychological distress (OR = 1.37, p = 0.011). Job stability was negatively associated with the emergence of PMDD symptoms among participants with high psychological distress (OR = 0.48, p = 0.010). No significant associations were found among those with low psychological distress. Conclusion: Job stability was a protective factor for the emergence of PMDD symptoms among female workers with high psychological distress, while job control may act as an enhancing factor in the overall sample and among those with high psychological distress. Ensuring job stability might be a measure to prevent PMDD symptoms, especially for female workers with high psychological distress. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[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 Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? 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