---
title: How common are menstrual symptoms and how much do they affect women's daily lives?
description: Menstrual symptoms are very common. 85% have period pain, 77% have mood symptoms, and 71% have tiredness. About 1 in 3 women cannot do their usual activities
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-impact-of-menstrual-symptoms-on-everyday-life-a-survey-among-42-879-women-2019/
---

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- How common are menstrual symptoms and how much do they affect women's daily lives?

Survey study, 2019

# How common are menstrual symptoms and how much do they affect women's daily lives?

Menstrual symptoms are very common. 85% have period pain, 77% have mood symptoms, and 71% have tiredness. About 1 in 3 women cannot do their usual activities during their period.

 Early or limited evidence

42,879 women aged 15-45 who participated in a nationwide internet survey.

## What they did

A nationwide cross-sectional internet survey conducted July to October 2017 among 42,879 women aged 15-45. Participants reported on menstrual symptoms and their impact on daily activities.

## What they found

Dysmenorrhea was most common at 85%, followed by psychological complaints at 77% and tiredness at 71%. 38% of all women reported being unable to perform all regular daily activities during their period. Only 48.6% of women who skipped tasks told their family why.

## What it means for you

Menstrual symptoms are widespread and significantly affect women's daily functioning. The main limit is that this surveyed people willing to participate online, so results may not represent all women.

85%

Percentage with dysmenorrhea (period pain)

38%

Percentage unable to perform all daily activities during period

42,879

Number of women surveyed

## About the study

Original title The impact of menstrual symptoms on everyday life: a survey among 42,879 women Authors Schoep ME, Nieboer TE, van der Zanden M et al. Journal American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Year 2019 Study design Survey study Participants 42,879 What was tested None - observational study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.02.048](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.02.048)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Apps and digital interventions](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-digital-health/)[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/)

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

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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Cohort study, 2006

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Systematic review, 2025

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Randomised trial, 2014

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Survey study, 2026

What menstrual cycle symptoms do people experience and how much do they interfere with daily life?

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