Survey study, 1999
How much do premenstrual symptoms affect women's work and daily life?
Premenstrual symptoms significantly affect daily life and work. About 80% of women report irritability, fatigue, and bloating. Over half of working women report some impact on work. Nearly three-quarters have never sought treatment, even though effective medicines exist.
What they did
1045 women aged 18-49 in the USA, UK, and France answered a telephone survey about their premenstrual symptoms, how symptoms affected their functioning at home, socially, at school, and at work, and whether they had sought treatment.
What they found
About 80% reported irritability or anger, fatigue, and bloating or weight gain. Symptoms had the biggest impact at home, followed by social activities, then school or work. Over 50% of working women reported at least some effect on their work. Women who missed work due to symptoms missed 1-7 days in the past year. Nearly three-quarters had never sought treatment. Symptom severity was linked to seeking help.
What it means for you
Premenstrual symptoms significantly impact women's everyday lives and work, yet most women do not get treatment, often because they don't know it is available or how to access it. The findings were consistent across three countries.
~80%
reported irritability, fatigue, bloating
Over 50%
of working women report work impact
Nearly 3/4
never sought treatment
About the study
- Original title
- The impact of premenstrual symptomatology on functioning and treatment-seeking behavior: experience from the United States, United Kingdom, and France
- Authors
- Hylan TR, Sundell K, Judge R
- Journal
- Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine
- Year
- 1999
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 1,045
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/jwh.1.1999.8.1043
Topics
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