Cohort study, 2024
Does shift work or clean room environments worsen PMS and menstrual pain?
Yes. Shift workers had 1.20-1.30 times higher risk of multiple PMS symptoms including fatigue and menstrual irregularity. Clean room workers had higher menstrual pain.
What they did
Retrospective cohort study of 7,193 female employees aged 18-55 at an electronics manufacturer in Taiwan from August-December 2014. Questionnaires collected information on work schedule, work environment, lifestyle, menstrual status, and menstrual pain.
What they found
18.6% reported moderate to severe menstrual pain affecting their work. Shift workers had 1.20 times higher risk of fatigue, 1.04 times higher somatic discomforts and diarrhea, and 1.05 times higher tension. Shift work was linked to 1.30 times higher risk of menstrual irregularity and 1.23 times higher menstrual pain. Clean room work was associated with 1.13 times higher menstrual pain. Women working shifts in clean rooms had the highest pain scores.
What it means for you
Work conditions appear to affect PMS and menstrual pain. Main limitation: observational study cannot prove shift work itself causes symptoms. Other job-related factors might be responsible. Results from one company at one time may not apply elsewhere.
7,193
women studied
1.30
increased risk of menstrual irregularity with shift work
18.6%
with moderate to severe menstrual pain affecting work
About the study
- Original title
- Association Between Shift Work and Clean Room Environment on Self-reported Premenstrual Symptoms and Menstrual Pain in Taiwan
- Authors
- Tsai SY
- Journal
- Safety and health at work
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 7,193
- What was tested
- None. Observational comparison of shift work versus regular hours and clean room versus regular environments.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2024.04.006
Topics
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