Effects of 12‐Hour Rotating Shifts on Menstrual Cycles of Photoelectronic Workers in Taiwan

Jun 7, 2008Chronobiology international

How 12-Hour Rotating Shifts Affect Menstrual Cycles in Taiwanese Electronics Workers

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Abstract

The prevalence of menstrual cycle irregularity was higher in the shift-work group compared to the comparison group (p = 0.04).

Menstrual cycle length (MCL) and the number of menstrual bleeding days were similar between the shift-work group and the comparison group.
The shift-work group, consisting of 280 women, experienced a greater prevalence of irregular menstrual cycles (defined as cycles <25 or >35 days).
Rotating shift work was identified as an independent predictor of menstrual cycle irregularity, with an odds ratio of 1.71.
The study analyzed data from 1,135 menstrual cycles in the shift-work group and 117 cycles in the comparison group.
Additional research is needed to confirm these findings and to investigate potential prevention strategies.

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12 h rotating shifts are common in high-tech industries in Taiwan. The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the effect of the disruption of circadian rhythms by the shift schedule on menstrual cycle length (MCL) and regularity of female workers at an optoelectronic company in Taiwan. We recruited females who worked rotating shifts in a clean room environment as the shift-work group and female office workers who worked normal business hours as the comparison group. Every participant recorded their MCL for each menstruation cycle up to eight consecutive months prospectively and provided demographic characteristics, reproductive history, and menstrual characteristics. We collected data on 1,135 and 117 menstruation cycles in the shift-work (n = 280) and comparison groups (n = 49). Whereas the two groups had similar group means for MCL and number of menstrual bleeding days, the prevalence of menstrual cycle irregularity (cycles <25 or >35 days) was higher in the shift-work group ( p = 0.04). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that rotating shift work was an independent predictor of menstrual cycle irregularity (odds ratio = 1.71, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-2.88) after adjusting for shift-work history, employment duration, coffee consumption,and pre-employment menstrual cycle irregularity. Although further study is required to confirm our findings plus to explore prevention and control measures, our data indicate rotating shift work can increase the risk of MCL irregularity.

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Effects of 12‐Hour Rotating Shifts on Menstrual Cycles of Photoelectronic Workers in Taiwan

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