Case-control study, 2004
Is job stress linked to having premenstrual symptoms?
Yes, in this large survey of military women, high job stress was the strongest factor linked to premenstrual symptoms, with almost three times the risk compared to women without symptoms, but since this is an observational survey it cannot prove that stress causes the symptoms.
What they did
Researchers combined two large mail surveys of active-duty US military women from all service branches, covering 6026 women of reproductive age. They compared women who reported premenstrual symptoms or pain in the past 3 months (cases) to those who did not (controls), looking at psychosocial and lifestyle factors after adjusting for demographic differences.
What they found
Premenstrual symptoms were reported by nearly 2 of every 3 reproductive-age women. Women with symptoms were more likely to report other menstrual problems, 2 or more current medical conditions, migraines, and more healthcare visits in the past year. After accounting for the protective effects of taking Depo-Provera and ever being pregnant, the strongest predictors of symptoms were younger age, trying to lose weight, heavier drinking, poorer self-perceived health, and especially high job stress, which showed an almost 3-fold increase in risk.
What it means for you
Work stress may be closely tied to premenstrual symptoms, possibly linked through depression, but this study only looked at military women at one point in time with no control group for cause and effect, so it cannot prove stress causes symptoms and may not apply to all women.
6026
Women surveyed
2 of 3 women
Reported premenstrual symptoms
almost 3-fold
Increased risk with high job stress
About the study
- Original title
- Psychosocial and lifestyle correlates of premenstrual symptoms among military women
- Authors
- Hourani LL, Yuan H, Bray RM
- Journal
- Journal of women's health (2002)
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 3
- What was tested
- None, this was an observational survey, not a treatment study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2004.13.812
Topics
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