Recession stress equals increased PMS says new survey

Bullies are making life a misery for a third of workers, suggest new statistics. According to The PMS Survey conducted by Magnesium-OK, the nutritional supplement for hormone balance, female bosses are more likely to be to blame than male.

The survey of 3,500 British men and women found that when gripped by the symptoms of PMS, almost two thirds of women questioned felt that they were unfairly treated in the workplace by their female bosses, while just a third pointed the finger at male superiors and colleagues.

Magnesium-OK’s PMS Survey was first conducted at the height of the economic boom (2007) to examine the effects of PMS on relationships, lifestyles and the workplace – and revealed that many women were struggling to cope with their symptoms.

Recession blues
Asking the same questions, two years on and in the midst of recession, the 2009 survey discovered that women in the workplace are finding it harder than ever to cope with PMS symptoms.

In fact, the survey revealed that women are battling with their symptoms for a whole six months more than they were before the recession, with the majority of women now claiming to spend two and a half years of their lives overwhelmed by the symptoms of PMS – a staggering 912 days or 21,888 hours in total.

The impact of the current climate on society’s health is bad enough, but productivity is set to decline too, with female works potentially hit the hardest. Worried about taking time off work, the survey found that 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
On a more quirky note, the more sensitive employers should think about stocking up on chocolate and ice-cream for their female staff, cravings which are recognised as ‘symptoms’ of PMS by nearly half (49%) of the canny women questioned!

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.”

Magnesium-OK is specially designed for women to include vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, zinc and vitamin B6 which have been found to maintain a healthy hormone balance and minimise ups and downs associated with the monthly cycle.

Priced at around £4.29 for 30 capsules, Wassen Magnesium-OK is available from Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, pharmacies and health food stores. For more information visit wassen.com.