What women told us about their menstrual cycles
153 women came forward to share how their cycle really shows up in their lives. Here's a short taste of what we heard. The full picture is in the free two-page summary.
“The pain can be absolutely debilitating and take me out for a day or two. I have to cancel plans and work… I often have flare-ups throughout my cycle.”
25-34 · SCOTLAND · ENDOMETRIOSIS
64%
say it affects their daily life
Five things that stood out
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The most common theme was the mental and emotional load.
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Most people track their cycle to anticipate their energy and mood, not just their period date.
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Though we never asked, many raised the impact on their work unprompted.
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Among those who'd sought medical help, more found it unhelpful than helpful.
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Many are already paying out of pocket to cope: TENS devices, supplements, period pants, acupuncture.
These are highlights. The two-page summary carries the voices in full, across seven themes, from tracking and pain to seeking help and being believed.
Read what women told us, in their words
A free two-page summary of real women's voices.
How to read this research
153 women took part (from 155 responses, two under-18s excluded), reached through our own network between December 2024 and March 2025.
It's a listening exercise, not a representative study. It skews to Scotland, London and ages 25–44. Numbers describe the people who took part, not "all women".
We didn't ask about work. Wherever women mention their jobs, they raised it themselves, unprompted.
About this research
How many women took part?
153 women and people who menstruate, from 155 responses (two under-18s excluded), surveyed online between December 2024 and March 2025.
Is it nationally representative?
No. It's a self-selected listening survey run through Nadi's own network, skewed toward Scotland and London and ages 25–44. Figures describe respondents only, not the wider population.
What did women say about work?
The survey didn't ask about work, but many raised it unprompted, describing missed days, hiding symptoms, and being expected to carry on. One described taking 19 days off in a year.
Where can I read the full findings?
Download the free two-page summary above, or follow the work through the Nadi newsletter.
How was the survey run?
Nadi listening survey, fielded online 19 December 2024 – 7 March 2025. 155 people responded; two respondents under 18 are excluded, leaving 153 in this analysis, of whom 131 said they currently have a cycle. Recruitment was through the founder's own network and social channels, so the sample is self-selected and skews strongly toward Scotland and London and toward ages 25–44. It is not nationally representative and cannot be read as a picture of all women. Percentages describe respondents only, against the base shown. Quotes are lightly condensed and copy-edited for spelling, punctuation and abbreviations; no words have been substituted and the meaning is unchanged, with trims marked by an ellipsis (…). The survey did not ask about the workplace; workplace comments were volunteered.