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Background <p>Menstruation-related disorders, including dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS)/ premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)/ abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), are common among women of reproductive age and associated with impairments in quality of life (QOL), mental health, and daily functioning. Increasing evidence indicates that these conditions adversely affect academic and work productivity, with presenteeism constituting a major component of the economic burden. However, the existing evidence remains fragmented.</p> Materials and methods <p>We conducted a structured narrative review supported by a targeted literature search of PubMed and Scopus. Studies published in English between January 2014 and December 2025 were considered if they included female individuals aged 14–59&#xa0;years and examined menstruation-related symptoms in relation to QOL, work productivity, academic or occupational functioning, or economic outcomes. Because of heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and outcome measures, findings were synthesised thematically rather than quantitatively pooled.</p> Results <p>A total of 86 studies were used to inform the thematic synthesis. Across conditions, menstruation-related disorders were consistently associated with reduced health-related QOL, psychological distress, and impaired academic and occupational functioning. Productivity loss was observed across disorders and predominantly driven by presenteeism rather than by absenteeism. Dysmenorrhoea and PMS/PMDD were associated with both absenteeism and presenteeism, whereas HMB/AUB was strongly associated with work impairment, which is frequently mediated by anaemia-related symptoms. Psychological distress, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, emotional dysregulation, and sleep disturbance, has emerged as a key contributor to QOL impairment across age groups and regions. Lifestyle factors appeared to modify symptom severity and functional impact. Although treatment and medical consultations often improved symptoms, productivity gains were inconsistent.</p> Conclusions <p>This review highlights the multidimensional burden of menstruation-related disorders extending from physical symptoms to mental health and functional outcomes. The predominance of presenteeism suggested that conventional metrics based on absenteeism underestimate the true societal impact. The observed gap between symptom improvement and functional recovery underscored the need for integrated approaches that could address both clinical and psychosocial pathways.</p>

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The impact of menstruation-related symptoms on women’s quality of life, work productivity, and economic burden: a structured narrative review

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Yuki Enomoto,
  • Osamu Wada-Hiraike,
  • Maika Nariai,
  • Hiromi Ga,
  • Risa Takai,
  • Maho Furukawa,
  • Miyuki Harada,
  • Yasushi Hirota

摘要

Background

Menstruation-related disorders, including dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS)/ premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)/ abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), are common among women of reproductive age and associated with impairments in quality of life (QOL), mental health, and daily functioning. Increasing evidence indicates that these conditions adversely affect academic and work productivity, with presenteeism constituting a major component of the economic burden. However, the existing evidence remains fragmented.

Materials and methods

We conducted a structured narrative review supported by a targeted literature search of PubMed and Scopus. Studies published in English between January 2014 and December 2025 were considered if they included female individuals aged 14–59 years and examined menstruation-related symptoms in relation to QOL, work productivity, academic or occupational functioning, or economic outcomes. Because of heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and outcome measures, findings were synthesised thematically rather than quantitatively pooled.

Results

A total of 86 studies were used to inform the thematic synthesis. Across conditions, menstruation-related disorders were consistently associated with reduced health-related QOL, psychological distress, and impaired academic and occupational functioning. Productivity loss was observed across disorders and predominantly driven by presenteeism rather than by absenteeism. Dysmenorrhoea and PMS/PMDD were associated with both absenteeism and presenteeism, whereas HMB/AUB was strongly associated with work impairment, which is frequently mediated by anaemia-related symptoms. Psychological distress, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, emotional dysregulation, and sleep disturbance, has emerged as a key contributor to QOL impairment across age groups and regions. Lifestyle factors appeared to modify symptom severity and functional impact. Although treatment and medical consultations often improved symptoms, productivity gains were inconsistent.

Conclusions

This review highlights the multidimensional burden of menstruation-related disorders extending from physical symptoms to mental health and functional outcomes. The predominance of presenteeism suggested that conventional metrics based on absenteeism underestimate the true societal impact. The observed gap between symptom improvement and functional recovery underscored the need for integrated approaches that could address both clinical and psychosocial pathways.