Brit women take six MILLION sick days every year due to premenstrual cramps and bad moods
One in five women admitted to getting sarcastic comments from colleagues during their 'time of the month'
WORKING British women take more than six million sick days a year due to premenstrual syndrome, a survey found.
Four in ten admit their painful cramps, bloating and moods mean they call in ill at least once.
And one in 20 has been forced to take off six days or more in the past 12 months.
But half who have called in sick due to PMS worry they will be considered skivers, with 78 per cent admitting suffering in silence instead of asking to go home.
One in five of the 2,000 polled by health supplements firm Efamol said they got sarcastic comments about their mood from colleagues during their “time of the month.”
Women also admit their symptoms have affected their friendships, social life and relationships — with one in ten saying it has led to at least one break-up.
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A spokesman for Efamol said: "While some women sail through their menstrual cycle with no problems whatsoever, for some, it can really affect all areas of their life.
"Symptoms can cause real pain and discomfort, meaning work is the last place you want to be."
The study found 85 per cent of women suffer some kind of PMS with cramping pains the most common symptom followed by bloating, fatigue and irritability.
Other common complaints include spots, headaches and backaches.
Dr Dawn Harper, from Channel 4's TV series, Embarrassing Bodies, said: "It's obvious from the survey that there are many women out there suffering in silence every month from PMS symptoms.
"These symptoms are not only affecting their work life, but also their relationships."