Survey study, 1995
Do PMS symptoms affect how well women work?
Yes. Over half of working women (57%) said their PMS symptoms affected job performance, and 40% felt less productive during premenstrual symptoms. Mood-related symptoms like irritability, anger, and depression had the strongest link to reduced work performance.
What they did
Researchers surveyed 197 working women, asking what premenstrual symptoms they experienced, how severe the symptoms were, and how much they affected their work. They analyzed whether age or job level (managerial vs non-managerial) made a difference in how symptoms affected work.
What they found
The most common symptoms were irritability, bloating, mood swings, depression, weight gain, headaches, and anger, reported by more than half the women. 57% said symptoms affected their job performance, and 40% felt less productive during premenstrual symptoms. Mood-related symptoms were most strongly linked to reduced work performance. Younger women were more likely than older women to report that symptoms impacted their work.
What it means for you
Premenstrual symptoms can genuinely affect job performance, especially mood-related ones. This could help workplaces understand that these are not minor complaints. The main limit is this looked at one group of working women and results may differ for other jobs or countries.
57%
women reporting symptoms affected job performance
40%
women feeling less productive during premenstrual symptoms
197
working women surveyed
About the study
- Original title
- PREMENSTRUAL SYMPTOMS AND THE FEMALE EMPLOYEE
- Authors
- Robert V. High, Patricia Ann Marcellino
- Journal
- Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 197
- What was tested
- None - survey only
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2224/sbp.1995.23.3.265
Topics
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