---
title: What causes irregular periods and period pain in working women?
description: Stress appeared to be the main factor linked to both irregular periods and period pain. However, this study only shows associations, not whether stress actual
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-and-menstrual-pain-problems-and-related-risk-factors-among-2011/
---

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- What causes irregular periods and period pain in working women?

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.

 Early or limited evidence

2,166 Japanese female workers who responded (from 8,150 surveyed)

## 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](https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.ms1047)

## Topics

[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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