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On the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Naturactive brand unveils the results of a survey on the pain felt during menstruation. The astonishing figures make it possible to better understand the impact of menstrual pain in the daily lives of women.
In recent years, more and more talk has been released around menstrual pain. And fortunately, because behind the taboo hides a real impact on the quality of life of millions of women. Conducted in March 2023 by Naturactive and EasyPanel among 1,004 women aged between 18 and 44 (41% aged between 18 and 29 and 59% aged between 30 and 44), a new survey testifies to the extent of the phenomenon.
Intense menstrual pain
“The interest of this survey is to reveal the reality – therefore an encouragement to talk about this subject – for better care. Painful periods are not inevitable…”, explain the authors. According to the results of their work,
- 91% of women surveyed said they had suffered from menstrual pain during the last 12 cycles;
- Among them, almost 60% answered that once a year, it was intense or even extreme pain.
A contrast between the age groups was brought to light.
- 96% of women between the ages of 18 and 29 say they experience intense to extreme pain during their periods;
- Among women aged between 30 and 44, they are 73%.
“Among young women, therefore, we see a greater frequency and intensity than among their elders”confirms the authors of the survey.
In addition, this study also revealed that the symptoms experienced during a menstrual cycle “vary from one woman to another”: lower back pain (46%), migraine (39%), nausea and vomiting (19%). The pain was mainly felt in the lower abdomen (80%). In addition, one in two women said they felt tired during their period.
Menstrual pain: a daily handicap
The pain felt during menstruation becomes a real social handicap for many women:
- 28% of participants said that at least once during the past 12 months, they have not been able to carry out a professional or educational activity;
- 44% of the women in this study declared that they could not practice a sports activity during their period and were obliged to report it;
- Among them, 53% are women between the ages of 18 and 29;
- Among women between 18 and 29 years old, 49% said that because of menstrual pain, they had to refuse an outing with their loved ones.
“The figure is all the more evocative, when we know that more than a quarter of the women questioned had to postpone a professional or school activity at least once over the last twelve months.specify the authors, before adding: “The pain suffered by women during menstrual periods has a direct impact on their daily lives, depriving them of convivial moments, shared with family, friends or even in the professional context, sometimes causing difficulties in their career development, or also deepening gender gaps”.
During this survey, women were also asked about the means they use to relieve menstrual pain.
- 64% of participants prefer drug solutions for their rapidity of action. Among 18-29 year olds, 70% use it;
- 41% of women who have had intense menstrual pain at least once indicate that they have used natural methods;
- Among these natural methods, the hot water bottle is the favorite (30%) and 18% of participants use massages to soothe their pain.
“Women using natural methods do so in particular out of mistrust or rejection of drugs, but a third of them use plants or essential oils mainly because of their effectiveness (34%)”explain the authors of the survey.
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“Education will be the key to discovering the benefits of natural products, which can help women in their quest to relieve menstrual pain, while maintaining the effectiveness of the method. Indeed, in this respect, there are rapidly effective solutions with effects perceived in less than an hour”, conclude the authors.