---
title: How much do premenstrual symptoms stop women from doing everyday activities?
description: Significantly. More than one third of women could not do their normal activities, chores or work as much as they wanted. Both physical and mental symptoms aff
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-premenstrual-symptoms-on-activities-of-daily-life-2010/
---

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- How much do premenstrual symptoms stop women from doing everyday activities?

Survey study, 2010

# How much do premenstrual symptoms stop women from doing everyday activities?

Significantly. More than one third of women could not do their normal activities, chores or work as much as they wanted. Both physical and mental symptoms affected daily life equally.

 Moderate study design

4,085 women aged 14-50 in France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, UK, Brazil and Mexico

## What they did

4,085 women aged 14-50 in eight countries answered a phone survey about 23 premenstrual symptoms and how much they affected everyday activities, chores, work and leisure.

## What they found

2,638 women (64.6%) had minimal impact on daily activities. 981 (24%) had moderate impact. 454 (11.1%) had severe impact. Overall 35% were moderately or severely affected. Symptom severity was the main thing affecting daily life.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual symptoms significantly disrupt everyday life for about one third of women. This shows the impact is real and affects daily activities, work and leisure. The study included eight countries, suggesting findings may apply widely.

64.6%

minimally affected in daily life

24%

moderately affected

35%

moderately or severely affected overall

## About the study

Original title The effect of premenstrual symptoms on activities of daily life Authors Dennerstein L, Lehert P, Bäckström TC et al. Journal Fertility and sterility Year 2010 Study design Survey study Participants 4,085 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.023](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.023)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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