Productivity loss due to menstruation-related symptoms: a nationwide cross-sectional survey among 32 748 women

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate age-dependent productivity loss caused by menstruation-related symptoms, measured in absenteeism (time away from work or school) and presenteeism (productivity loss while present at work or school).MethodsDesign/setting: internet-based, cross-sectional survey conducted in the Netherlands from July to October 2017.Participants: 32 748 women aged 15–45 years, recruited through social media.Outcome measures: self-reported lost productivity in days, divided into absenteeism and presenteeism; impact of menstrual symptoms; reasons women give when calling in sick; and women’s preferences regarding the implications of menstruation-related symptoms for schools and workplaces.ResultsA total of 13.8% (n=4514) of all women reported absenteeism during their menstrual periods with 3.4% (n=1108) reporting absenteeism every or almost every menstrual cycle. The mean absenteeism related to a woman’s period was 1.3 days per year. A total of 80.7% (n=26 438) of the respondents reported presenteeism and decreased productivity a mean of 23.2 days per year. An average productivity loss of 33% resulted in a mean of 8.9 days of total lost productivity per year due to presenteeism. Women under 21 years were more likely to report absenteeism due to menstruation-related symptoms (OR 3.3, 95% CI 3.1 to 3.6). When women called in sick due to their periods, only 20.1% (n=908) told their employer or school that their absence was due to menstrual complaints. Notably, 67.7% (n=22 154) of the participants wished they had greater flexibility in their tasks and working hours at work or school during their periods.ConclusionsMenstruation-related symptoms cause a great deal of lost productivity, and presenteeism is a bigger contributor to this than absenteeism. There is an urgent need for more focus on the impact of these symptoms, especially in women aged under 21 years, for discussions of treatment options with women of all ages and, ideally, more flexibility for women who work or go to school.

Absenteeism during Menstruation among Nursing Students in Spain

“…The high rate of absenteeism identified during menstruation among female university students in this study is in line with previous reports conducted in other countries (although slightly higher), as analyzed in a systematic review and meta-analysis by Armour et al [10]. Absenteeism rates were higher when associated with greater scores on the VAS scale for dysmenorrhea, these data are in agreement with former studies conducted in the Netherlands by Schoep et al, Femi Agboola et al in Nigeria, and in Sri Lanka by Hapuarachchige et al [24][25][26]. The high rates of absenteeism associated with dysmenorrhea and to an elevated intensity of menstrual pain could be related to an incorrect management of menstruation in Spain.…”

Confusion and Making Sense of Menstruation: A Micro-level Study of Village Khagawal, Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh

“…Furthermore, on the other side, respondents were themselves not willing to be physically active and have confessed to rather have rest during menstruation. Schoep et al (2019) have reported 80% presenteeism during menstruation among their sample of 32,748 women in Netherlands where 'presenteeism' denotes loss of productivity while present at work or school while MRSs were responsible for 24% of total absenteeism for working women and students. A similar study was conducted in London by Bruinvels, Burden, Brown, Richards & Pedlar (as cited in Joseph, 2016) among Elite and Non-Elite Athletes in 2015, which covered 789 participants through an online survey and 1073 face to face interviews.…”

“…Taylor, as cited in Joseph 2016). Schoep et al (2019) stated that the impact of MRSs on women should be focussed upon.…”

“…"A woman's physical and mental abilities are at their peak just after menstruation with the rise of the hormone estrogen, and at their lowest just before and during menstruation due to the influence of the hormone progesterone" (Joseph, 2017, para 10). Schoep et al (2019) too found that apart from financial burdens generated from seeking medical advice and medicines, costs in terms of productivity loss could be one of the major cost drivers. "It seems likely the real impact of MRSs is underestimated in the general population" (Schoep et al, 2019, p. 2).…”

“…Widespread discussion on menstruation is undoubtedly welcome. Nevertheless, most of the emergent discourses on menstruation in India, are still lopsided as they favour, profoundly, some aspects such as marketing of feminine hygiene products without keeping account of its quality and nonbiodegradability and ignore others like proper quality checks of low-cost sanitary napkins, indepth understanding of Menstrual-related Symptoms (MRSs) and its impact which according to Schoep et al (2019) need to be examined as few studies have been conducted to study absenteeism and presenteeism due to MRSs among the female population, thereby neglecting the subjective and lived experiences of women often discrediting their knowledge.…”