Recession stress equals increased PMS?

The recession could be having a negative impact on women’s emotional and physical wellbeing, according to the PMS Survey* of over 2,000 women by Magnesium-OK, the nutritional supplement for hormone balance.

In 2007, at the height of the economic boom, the bi-annual PMS Survey was conducted to find out the effects of PMS on relationships, lifestyle and work – and revealed that many women were struggling to cope with their symptoms. Asked the same questions, two years on and in the midst of recession, the survey has discovered women in the workplace are finding it harder than ever to cope with increasing PMS symptoms, believed to be brought about by growing financial pressures and the threat of redundancy.

It was discovered that women feel they are battling with their symptoms for a whole six months more than they were, with seventy percent of women believed to be spending two and a half years of their lives being overwhelmed by the symptoms of PMS – that’s a colossal 912 days or 21,888 hours in total.

In light of the recent report from researchers at Warwick University - revealing that 13.5 million working days are lost each year because of work-related stress** - the news that one in four women have admitted to taking time off work due to PMS could see these figures rise further and have wider implications for women’s overall health and wellbeing.

The impact of the current climate on society’s health is bad enough, but productivity is set to decline too, especially among female workers. Worried about taking time off work, over 60% of women with PMS are heading to the office despite feeling fatigued, moody and even aggressive which has resulted in nearly half of women (46%) surveyed bursting into tears at work or starting an argument (44%).

Tea and sympathy

When it comes to sympathy it is not surprising that the majority of employees agree that male bosses are the least sympathetic to women suffering with PMS in the workplace. However, it is interesting to discover that of those women treated unfairly at work because of their PMS, 60% said it was actually by a female colleague.

In order for women to realise their full potential at work, despite the monthly stress and anxiety of their symptoms, PMS must be acknowledged as a syndrome, and discussed and dealt with in a supportive way. This will help women lead healthier, happier lives, and in doing so address the 20% of female workers who feel they could have been more successful in their careers if it weren’t for their PMS symptoms.

On a more quirky note, the more sensitive employers should think about stocking up on chocolate and ice-cream for their female staff, a craving which is conveniently believed to be a recognised ‘symptom’ of PMS by nearly half (49%) of women.

Finding more ways to effectively treat PMS symptoms and alleviate the growing pressure on the female population is vital. With one in six women currently resorting to screaming at their partners and partying with younger men to make themselves feel better, it is important that the far-reaching effects of PMS are acknowledged not ignored.

Rita Stoffaneller from Magnesium-OK said “Increased understanding of PMS is essential to help the thousands of women who are suffering in silence, especially in the workplace.

“The results of this survey say a great deal about our attitudes to PMS, the effects of which must not be underestimated. Just under a third (32%) of women don’t even understand what is happening to their bodies during their period which means some won’t even know why they are suffering and, more importantly, that they can ask for help. For many, a simple magnesium supplement such as Magnesium-OK could make a big difference, by boosting nutrients that have been shown in research to be of benefit for premenstrual mood changes and ease the symptoms of fluid retention (including weight gain and bloating) and premenstrual migraines”.

Are we living in the ice-age? Alarming facts

It would appear that men still need to be educated about the opposite sex, with an alarming one in four thinking women can get the menopause reversed.

Can an ailing economy cope with a baby boom? Despite the consequences, nearly 10% of adults surveyed think it is impossible for a woman to get pregnant during her period.

Is your wife faking it? A huge 816,000*** women have confessed to faking PMS symptoms to get time off work.

Of people surveyed the majority agreed that Katie Price would be the most terrifying celebrity with PMS, whilst Louise Redknapp scored the lowest.

Magnesium-OK has been specially designed for women to include vitamins and minerals which have been found to maintain hormonal health and minimise ups and downs associated with the monthly cycle. Priced at around £4.29 for 30 capsules, Wassen’s Magnesium-OK is available from Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons, pharmacies and health food stores.

For more information visit wassen.com.

* OnePoll, 26th June 2009
**Daily Mail, 24th June 2009
*** In March 2008 the numbers were similar, with each of the sexes performing around 13.6 million jobs. Working Lives: Employment rates higher for men, statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=1654