Menstrual pain and the economic purse: calculating and understanding menstrual symptom productivity loss and the Australian economy

Globally rising female labour force participation represents one of the most noteworthy economic developments of the last century. Despite this rise, little is known about the individual and broader economic costs tied to women's experiences of problematic menstrual symptoms such as period pain (dysmenorrhea) and heavy menstrual bleeding. This study quantifies the economic burden of menstrual symptoms on Australian working women using a human capital approach. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among women in Australia who had been employed for at least 3 months. Lost productivity associated with menstrual symptoms is estimated at $4882 Int (AUD $7176) per person annually, with an estimated annual economic burden of $9.527 billion Int ($14.005 billion AUD) in Australia based on a 90% prevalence rate for one or more menstrual symptoms. Presenteeism was the predominant cost driver, accounting for 46% of total productivity loss. Over the counter and prescribed analgesic use were significantly correlated with greater pain and productivity impairment, despite not reducing productivity impacts. Pain severity demonstrated a strong positive correlation with absenteeism and presenteeism (r = 0.97). Women aged 35–44 reported significantly higher lost productivity than their counterparts. These findings highlight the substantial economic rationale for government and workplace interventions supporting menstrual symptom management.