A survey assessing the impact of symptoms related to the menstrual cycle and perceptions of workplace productivity: considerations for employer-sponsored menstrual health programs
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hormonal-related symptoms experienced during natural or contraceptive-driven menstrual cycles have implications on work-related productivity; however, employer-sponsored menstrual health resources are widely unavailable. Actionable research-based evidence is needed to develop menstrual health programs that proactively help working females mitigate their hormonal-related symptoms and optimize their hormone profiles and work-related performance. This study sought to evaluate the prevalence and severity of hormonal-related symptoms and assess the directional impact of hormonal-related symptoms on work-related productivity across cyclical hormone phases. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive questionnaire was used to measure hormonal-related symptoms and work-related productivity in 372 working females of reproductive age in the United States. The validated Menstrual Distress Questionnaire was used to measure the prevalence and severity of hormonal-related symptoms. The Menstrual Cycle-Related Work Productivity Questionnaire was modified and used to assess perceptions of work-related productivity measures across all cyclical hormone phases. Cumulative link mixed models and Bayesian adjacent category models were employed to determine the relationship between hormonal-related symptoms and work-related productivity, independent of age, body mass index (BMI), heavy bleeding experience, cyclical hormone phase, contraceptive use, Exos employment status and other hormonal-related symptoms. RESULTS: Hormonal-related symptoms were present across cyclical hormone phases, and the most severe disturbances were experienced during the bleed-phase. Distributions of perceived work productivity were significantly more negative during the pre-bleed and bleed phases and more positive during the late follicular and early luteal phases. Self-reported hormonal-related symptoms were significantly associated with perceptions of work-related productivity, independent of potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclical hormone fluctuations impact perceived work-related productivity variably by phase. Self-reported hormonal-related symptoms are associated with perceptions of work-related productivity. Our findings identify important considerations for the development of menstrual health programming to optimize the lived experience of female physiology in the workplace.
Source: BMC Women s Health
Authors: Danielle M. Raves, Wynetta D. Herrera, Matthew E. Darnell, Tristan Rice, Craig Friedman, Stephanie C. Moratti, Stacy T. Sims, Wandasun B. Sihanath, Shannon N. Ehrhardt, Amanda Phillips
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W4413842024