"There's a World of Difference Between Understanding Intellectually and Feeling Physically": 95% of Male Managers Say They're Glad They Took the Period Pain Experience
Key facts
- "There's a World of Difference Between Understanding Intellectually and Feeling Physically": 95% of Male Managers Say They're Glad They Took the Period Pain Experience
- Preventive health tech startup Linkage Inc. has announced the results of a survey on its 'Pirinoid'-based period pain experience training, revealing that 95% of male managers who participated reported positive outcomes. The experience led to behavioral changes and increased workplace empathy. In conjunction with Gender Equality Week 2026, Linkage is launching a limited-time campaign for 10 companies.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 18, 2026
Direct answer
Preventive health tech startup Linkage Inc. has announced the results of a survey on its 'Pirinoid'-based period pain experience training, revealing that 95% of male managers who participated reported positive outcomes. The experience led to behavioral changes and increased workplace empathy. In conjunction with Gender Equality Week 2026, Linkage is launching a limited-time campaign for 10 companies.
- Citation
- "There's a World of Difference Between Understanding Intellectually and Feeling Physically": 95% of Male Managers Say They're Glad They Took the Period Pain Experience (June 18, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 18, 2026
Preventive health tech startup Linkage Inc. has announced the results of a survey on its 'Pirinoid'-based period pain experience training, revealing that 95% of male managers who participated reported positive outcomes. The experience led to behavioral changes and increased workplace empathy. In conjunction with Gender Equality Week 2026, Linkage is launching a limited-time campaign for 10 companies.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 18, 2026 at 01:44
- 🔍 Collected: June 17, 2026 at 16:48
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 18, 2026 at 16:13 (23h 25m after Collected)
Linkage Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yasuaki Ikoma; hereinafter 'Linkage'), a preventive healthcare tech startup, has conducted a survey on participants of its period pain experience training using 'Pirinoid' to assess changes in awareness before and after the session. Additionally, in conjunction with Gender Equality Week starting Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Linkage announces the launch of a special '10-company limited' campaign to support organizations that want to take action but lack time or preparation resources.
[i] This campaign is open to corporations that have not previously conducted any period pain experience program as of June 23, 2026.
■ Survey Summary [i]
1. Pre-training Challenge: "Unconscious Indifference"
Approximately 80% of respondents were managerial staff aged 30s to 50s, primarily men who work alongside fewer than 10 female colleagues. Before the training, about 51% responded that they "did not know" that approximately 80% of women endure period pain while working, despite being aware of menstrual pain. This reveals a lack of knowledge needed to empathize with women during menstruation.
2. Post-training Change: "I believe I should change my actions, such as offering support"
Before the experience, about 48% said they "did not take any particular action" regarding women-specific discomforts like menstruation. After the experience, about 63% responded that they "believe I should change my actions, such as offering verbal support," indicating that the period pain experience served as a catalyst for behavioral change. Participants shared feedback such as, "There's a world of difference between understanding intellectually and feeling physically" and "With that level of pain, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on work."
3. Organizational Impact: Over half of managers advocate for promoting menstrual leave and workplace understanding
Among participating managers, many expressed the need for concrete systems and cultural changes within their companies, such as fostering a workplace culture where menstrual leave is not just a formality (approx. 65%) and promoting understanding among supervisors and colleagues (approx. 64%).
[i] Survey conducted post-training among 5,232 participants of Linkage's period pain experience training
■ Junichi Chihara and Kazisakk also experienced it: Period pain experience gains major traction on YouTube
Pirinoid has been experienced by over 450 companies and organizations, totaling more than 25,000 participants[i], with a participant satisfaction rate of 95%. The experience has also been featured on YouTube channels of Junichi Chihara and Kazisakk, where they shared candid insights on understanding period pain—something previously unimaginable—and how to interact with family and colleagues.
▼ Junichi Chihara's experience video (2.72 million views)
▼ Kazisakk's experience video (860,000 views)
[i] As of end of May 2026
Gender Equality Week Campaign Overview
This year's Gender Equality Week slogan is "Your Authenticity is Society's Strength." In response to organizations that say, "We want to do something, but we lack time and preparation," Linkage offers a special plan that requires no long preparation or large groups, enabling period pain experiences even with small teams in a short time.
Content: Experience booth plan allowing 10 participants to experience period pain in one hour
Eligibility: Private companies, labor unions, health insurance associations, local governments, educational institutions, and others nationwide that have never conducted a period pain experience
Price: 98,000 JPY (excluding tax, travel expenses separate)
Conditions: Limited to 10 companies that submit the designated application form between June 23 (Tue) and July 10 (Fri), 2026
View Campaign Details
About the Period Pain Experience Device "Pirinoid"
Developed through research[i] at Konan University and Nara Women's University on the feasibility and effectiveness of simulating menstrual pain, combined with Osaka Heatcool Co., Ltd.'s expertise in stimulation and circuit technology. Using electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), it enables users to simulate lower abdominal pain experienced during menstruation. Linkage partners with Osaka Heatcool Co., Ltd. to provide the "Period Pain Experience Training."
Period Pain Experience Device "Pirinoid"
[i] Chihiro Asada et al, “Electrical Muscle Stimulation to Develop and Implement Menstrual Simulator System”, Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics, Vol. 33, No. 5, pp. 1051-1062 (2021.10)
Learn More About Pirinoid
■ About Linkage Inc.
Linkage operates under the mission of "raising the temperature of health awareness through technology and connection," providing preventive healthcare services for workplaces with the vision of creating a society where everyone can live authentically throughout the 100-year life span.
Company Name: Linkage Inc.
Established: June 1, 2011
Representative: President and CEO Yasuaki Ikoma
Headquarters: 7F GINZA ONE BUILDING, 1-19-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
URL: https://linkage-inc.co.jp/
[i] This campaign is open to corporations that have not previously conducted any period pain experience program as of June 23, 2026.
■ Survey Summary [i]
1. Pre-training Challenge: "Unconscious Indifference"
Approximately 80% of respondents were managerial staff aged 30s to 50s, primarily men who work alongside fewer than 10 female colleagues. Before the training, about 51% responded that they "did not know" that approximately 80% of women endure period pain while working, despite being aware of menstrual pain. This reveals a lack of knowledge needed to empathize with women during menstruation.
2. Post-training Change: "I believe I should change my actions, such as offering support"
Before the experience, about 48% said they "did not take any particular action" regarding women-specific discomforts like menstruation. After the experience, about 63% responded that they "believe I should change my actions, such as offering verbal support," indicating that the period pain experience served as a catalyst for behavioral change. Participants shared feedback such as, "There's a world of difference between understanding intellectually and feeling physically" and "With that level of pain, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on work."
3. Organizational Impact: Over half of managers advocate for promoting menstrual leave and workplace understanding
Among participating managers, many expressed the need for concrete systems and cultural changes within their companies, such as fostering a workplace culture where menstrual leave is not just a formality (approx. 65%) and promoting understanding among supervisors and colleagues (approx. 64%).
[i] Survey conducted post-training among 5,232 participants of Linkage's period pain experience training
■ Junichi Chihara and Kazisakk also experienced it: Period pain experience gains major traction on YouTube
Pirinoid has been experienced by over 450 companies and organizations, totaling more than 25,000 participants[i], with a participant satisfaction rate of 95%. The experience has also been featured on YouTube channels of Junichi Chihara and Kazisakk, where they shared candid insights on understanding period pain—something previously unimaginable—and how to interact with family and colleagues.
▼ Junichi Chihara's experience video (2.72 million views)
▼ Kazisakk's experience video (860,000 views)
[i] As of end of May 2026
Gender Equality Week Campaign Overview
This year's Gender Equality Week slogan is "Your Authenticity is Society's Strength." In response to organizations that say, "We want to do something, but we lack time and preparation," Linkage offers a special plan that requires no long preparation or large groups, enabling period pain experiences even with small teams in a short time.
Content: Experience booth plan allowing 10 participants to experience period pain in one hour
Eligibility: Private companies, labor unions, health insurance associations, local governments, educational institutions, and others nationwide that have never conducted a period pain experience
Price: 98,000 JPY (excluding tax, travel expenses separate)
Conditions: Limited to 10 companies that submit the designated application form between June 23 (Tue) and July 10 (Fri), 2026
View Campaign Details
About the Period Pain Experience Device "Pirinoid"
Developed through research[i] at Konan University and Nara Women's University on the feasibility and effectiveness of simulating menstrual pain, combined with Osaka Heatcool Co., Ltd.'s expertise in stimulation and circuit technology. Using electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), it enables users to simulate lower abdominal pain experienced during menstruation. Linkage partners with Osaka Heatcool Co., Ltd. to provide the "Period Pain Experience Training."
Period Pain Experience Device "Pirinoid"
[i] Chihiro Asada et al, “Electrical Muscle Stimulation to Develop and Implement Menstrual Simulator System”, Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics, Vol. 33, No. 5, pp. 1051-1062 (2021.10)
Learn More About Pirinoid
■ About Linkage Inc.
Linkage operates under the mission of "raising the temperature of health awareness through technology and connection," providing preventive healthcare services for workplaces with the vision of creating a society where everyone can live authentically throughout the 100-year life span.
Company Name: Linkage Inc.
Established: June 1, 2011
Representative: President and CEO Yasuaki Ikoma
Headquarters: 7F GINZA ONE BUILDING, 1-19-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
URL: https://linkage-inc.co.jp/
FAQ
What is the 'Pirinoid' period pain experience training?
A training program using EMS technology to simulate menstrual pain, allowing men to empathize with the discomfort.
Who can participate in this training?
Private companies, local governments, and educational institutions nationwide that have never conducted it before.
What is the campaign period?
Organizations that submit the application form between June 23 and July 10, 2026 are eligible.
How much does the training cost?
98,000 JPY (excluding tax and travel fees), accommodating up to 10 participants in one hour.
What is the background of Pirinoid's development?
Developed based on research from Konan University and Nara Women's University, using Osaka Heatcool's technology to promote understanding of period pain.