New research has revealed that nearly half of women say they PMS symptoms have worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to an online survey conducted by menstrual cup brand, Mooncup, 45.3 per cent of women say that their PMS symptoms (such as mood swings, bloating, hormonal acne and irritability) have got worse during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Only 10.8 per cent say their PMS symptoms have improved. Furthermore, some 79 per cent of participants reported a change in their overall period experience since the start of the pandemic: 42.8 per cent saying their experience has got worse and 36.2 per cent saying it has improved.
The respondents stated stress and anxiety (39.1 per cent) and working from home (33.8 per cent) as the main factors impacting their period experience. Exercise, or lack of, also made a difference; 11 per cent of respondents believed that the change in how they exercise had impacted their period.
Most survey participants have experienced a change in their menstrual cycle during this time, with only 34.2 per cent reporting no change. The
changes varied from changes to their menstrual flow (21.5 per cent), and cycle length (23.2 per cent), as well as people saying that their periods had stopped (2.3 per cent) or come back (4.7 per cent) since the pandemic started.
The different lifestyle within the pandemic has also allowed over half (53.4 per cent) of respondents to change or considered changing
the type of menstrual product they use. The drivers for this change are the comfort of trying something new at home and environmental
reasons – both cited by 62.5 per cent of respondents.
Kath Clements, Mooncup Director, commented: “This survey offers great insights into just how interlinked our physical and mental health are with our menstrual cycle. It’s also clear that periods are still a taboo in the workplace and working from home is offering some of us the freedom to look after ourselves during those days when a hot water bottle and a different tempo is what we need most. For many, slowing down has clearly provided an opportunity to reset and reconsider their choice of period products. While many of us are understandably concerned about our health, we haven’t forgotten about our environmental impact either.”