Survey study, 2025
How do employed women seek relief for premenstrual and menstrual symptoms at work?
Women with severe symptoms and work-related pain are more likely to use heat and painkillers. Their approach depends on the type of work they do.
What they did
Questionnaire study of 7,193 employed women in an electronics manufacturing company in Taiwan. They reported their premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, pain levels, and what they used to manage their symptoms.
What they found
49.3% had a gynecological examination in the past two years. Women with moderate or severe premenstrual symptoms were more likely to seek relief. Those with work-impacting menstrual pain and higher pain scores more often used hot compress bags and painkillers. Women with menstrual disruption for three or more days were more likely to have had a recent gynecological exam and to use heat and painkillers. Clean room workers were less likely to have gynecological exams but more likely to take painkillers than office staff.
What it means for you
How women manage menstrual symptoms at work depends on how severe their symptoms are and what kind of job they do. These patterns could help workplace health programs support women better. The study was in one company in Taiwan, so findings may not apply elsewhere.
7,193
women studied
49.3%
had gynecological exam in past 2 years
3
minimum days menstrual disruption with relief-seeking
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual and menstrual symptom relief-seeking behaviours among employed women
- Authors
- Tsai SY
- Journal
- African journal of reproductive health
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 7,193
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i7.6
Topics
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