Review, 2026
How much do PMS and menstrual disorders affect women's work, school, and quality of life?
Significantly. PMS and related menstrual disorders reduce quality of life, mental health, and work productivity. Most productivity loss comes from working while unwell rather than missing work.
What they did
Researchers reviewed 86 studies published from January 2014 to December 2025 about how menstruation-related disorders affect women aged 14 to 59. They examined impacts on quality of life, work and school productivity, and economic outcomes.
What they found
Menstrual disorders were consistently linked with reduced quality of life, psychological distress, and impaired work and academic functioning. Most productivity loss came from presenteeism (working while unwell) rather than absenteeism. Both PMS and PMDD involved absenteeism and presenteeism. Anxiety, depression, mood problems, and sleep disturbance were major contributors to quality of life loss. Lifestyle factors modified symptom severity. Treatment improved symptoms, but productivity gains were inconsistent.
What it means for you
Menstrual disorders impact mental health and work, not just physical symptoms. Most burden comes from working while unwell, which traditional measures miss. Treatment should address both symptoms and mental health. Limitation: diverse studies with different designs were summarized thematically rather than statistically combined.
86
Number of studies reviewed
2014-2025
Years of studies included
14-59
Age range of participants (years)
About the study
- Original title
- The impact of menstruation-related symptoms on women’s quality of life, work productivity, and economic burden: a structured narrative review
- Authors
- Yuki Enomoto, Osamu Wada‐Hiraike, Maika Nariai et al.
- Journal
- BMC Women s Health
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Various medical treatments and lifestyle modifications examined across studies.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04753-z
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2025
How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling?
Survey study, 2026
How common is PMDD among college women and what increases the risk?
Survey study, 2026
Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health?
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Survey study, 2025
Do adverse childhood experiences increase PMS and menstrual symptoms in adulthood?
Survey study, 2024
What menstrual and mental health factors are linked to high-risk premenstrual dysphoric disorder?