A cross-sectional study of menstrual symptoms and workplace mistreatment

Stigma associated with menstruation has been identified and affects women's careers in the workplace. However, few studies have explored the details, particularly the link to workplace mistreatment, which is a serious human rights issue.

This study aimed to examine the association between menstrual symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), and workplace mistreatment.

An internet-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024. A total of 19 451 female workers in Japan, aged between 20 and 60 years, were included in the final analysis. In addition to menstruation-related symptoms, HMB was assessed at baseline using a six-item questionnaire (SAMANTA). Experiences of workplace mistreatment related to women's health were assessed using a follow-up survey. Poisson regression analysis with robust variance was used to estimate the associations between them.

Workers with SAMANTA scores ≥3, which indicated HMB, were significantly more likely to experience workplace mistreatment than those with scores <3 (age-adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.28; 95% CI 1.22-1.34). All menstruation-related symptoms were significantly associated with workplace mistreatment. The more severe the symptoms, the more likely workers were to experience workplace mistreatment. These symptoms remained significantly associated after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, and their trends and values did not change substantially.

Female workers with menstrual symptoms, regardless of their position, were more likely to experience workplace mistreatment related to those symptoms. Workplaces may need to make efforts to accommodate the menstrual symptoms.