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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

Influence of menstrual pain and symptoms on activities of daily living and work absenteeism: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Fatima Leon-Larios, Isabel Silva-Reus, María José Puente Martínez, Abel Renuncio Roba, Eva Ibeas Martínez, Isabel Lahoz Pascual, Maria Cassia Naranjo Ratia, José Cruz Quílez Conde

Published in: Reproductive Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Objective

To examine the prevalence of menstrual pain among women of reproductive age and its impact on their daily lives and professional responsibilities.

Methods

A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in July and August 2022. Phone interviews were carried out using a random system to select women aged between 15 and 49 years old. The questionnaire included sociodemographic variables, contraception method used, characteristics of the menstrual pattern (pain and bleeding amount), its influence on their working life, and if they would need to resort to sick leaves due to the impairments arising from the menstrual symptoms.

Results

A total of 1800 women representative of the Spanish population took part in this study. 72.6% of them report menstrual pain, with 45.9% requiring medication. 35.9% identify their menstrual bleeding as intense or very intense. 38.8% assert that menstrual discomforts affect their everyday life. 34.3% would have required not attending their work activities or having requested sick leave due to the discomforts, although only 17.3% of the women finally requested so, mainly because 58.4% considered that it might imply consequences in their professional environment, especially those with Higher Education. The women who report more discomfort are the youngest ones and those who resort to condoms as a contraceptive method (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Menstrual pain is a prevalent problem among women of reproductive age and can affect their everyday life and professional environment, requiring work leaves on some occasions.

menstruator: The term is used on purpose; it acknowledges that people who menstruate are not all women and that not all women menstruate.

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Title: Influence of menstrual pain and symptoms on activities of daily living and work absenteeism: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fatima Leon-Larios
Isabel Silva-Reus
María José Puente Martínez
Abel Renuncio Roba
Eva Ibeas Martínez
Isabel Lahoz Pascual
Maria Cassia Naranjo Ratia
José Cruz Quílez Conde
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Reproductive Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4755
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-024-01757-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Influence of menstrual pain and symptoms on activities of daily living and work absenteeism: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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