Almost half of Irish women are prevented from participating in their usual weekly exercise routine because of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a new survey has found.

PMS refers to the physical, mental and emotional symptoms which women may experience in the week or two before their monthly period. Most women experience some symptoms of PMS at intervals throughout their life. However some women experience PMS every month.

Symptoms can include mood swings, anger, anxiety, irritability, abdominal cramps, tender breasts, nausea and a flare-up of acne.

According to the survey, 42% of women cannot exercise properly when affected by PMS, while 90% feel that it prevents them from being at their best.

Meanwhile one in three women who suffer with PMS said that they had to take at least one day off work over the last year due to the severity of their symptoms.

The survey was carried out on behalf of Cleanmarine for Women to coincide with the launch of PMS Awareness Week 2016.