Education

Leadership Coaching for Women Dealing with Menstrual Pain

Professional women of reproductive age face significant challenges due to menstrual pain, which affects a vast majority of them. Research indicates that around 80% of women experience menstrual symptoms such as cramps, bloating, and fatigue each month (Women’s Health Concern, n.d.). These symptoms often peak during the first few days of menstruation, impacting their ability to perform optimally in their roles.

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1 IN 5

Approximately one in five women report that menstrual pain is severe enough to interfere with their daily activities, including work responsibilities (NIH, 2020).

%

A significant portion of women consider taking sick leave or reducing their work hours because of severe menstrual symptoms (NWHN, 2022; NIH, 2024).

%

The percentage of working women who actually miss work or are less productive due to menstrual pain (ACOG, 2015).
Menstrual pain typically occurs from adolescence through menopause, with varying intensity and duration. For many women, this recurring discomfort can affect women’s self-efficacy, workplace productivity, absenteeism rates, and retention.
Organized, professional and focused woman working

The Cost

The economic impact of menstrual pain on the workforce is substantial. According to recent studies, women with severe menstrual pain are estimated to lose an average of 9 days of productivity per year (BMJ, 2019). In the United States alone, menstrual disorders contribute to an estimated $2 billion in lost productivity annually (ACOG, 2015). Women experiencing severe menstrual pain are more likely to take sick leave or underperform at work compared to their peers without such symptoms. This not only affects their individual productivity but also adds up to significant costs for employers in terms of reduced output and increased absenteeism.

Employers who disregard the effects of menstrual pain on their female employees are neglecting valuable resources and potential. The departure of skilled and capable employees due to severe menstrual symptoms can represent a significant financial setback for employers.

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References

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). “Managing Menstrual Pain and Health in the Workforce.” (2019). ACOG
  2. BMJ research (2019). “Productivity loss due to menstruation-related symptoms: a nationwide cross-sectional survey among 32,748 women.” BMJ
  3. CIPD research. “Menstruation and menstrual health in the workplace: Guide for people professionals.” CIPD
  4. National Institutes of Health (NIH). “Primary Dysmenorrhea: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” (2018). NIH
  5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2015). Menstruation in girls and adolescents: Using the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. ACOG
  6. National Institutes of Health. (2020). Menstruation and the menstrual cycle fact sheet. NIH
  7. Leon-Larios F, Silva-Reus I, Puente Martínez MJ, Renuncio Roba A, Ibeas Martínez E, Lahoz Pascual I, Naranjo Ratia MC, Quílez Conde JC. Influence of menstrual pain and symptoms on activities of daily living and work absenteeism: a cross-sectional study. Reprod Health. 2024 Feb 19;21(1):25. doi: 10.1186/s12978-024-01757-6. PMID: 38374080; PMCID: PMC10875820. NIH
  8. National Women’s Health Network. (2022). Menstrual health and reproductive justice. NWHN
  9. Women’s Health Concern. (n.d.). Menstrual cycle and disorders. WHC

Disclaimer: This one-pager offers a summary of key topics in women's health, supported by research data and sources. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not replace detailed academic studies. For more comprehensive and detailed insights, please refer to the original research cited.