Petrochemical exposure and menstrual disturbances.
BACKGROUND
An exploratory, cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted to examine the effects of benzene exposure on menstrual problems.


METHODS
The study was based on a survey administered to over 3,000 women who worked in a large petrochemical company in Beijing, China. An abnormal menstrual cycle length (AMCL), defined as an average menstrual cycle length of greater than 35 days or less than 21 days, is the major outcome of interest.


RESULTS
After 7 years of benzene exposure, the adjusted odds ratio of having AMCL for each additional 5 years of exposure was 1.71 (95% CI 1.27-2.31). Feeling stressed at work was also an important predictor.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests a significant association of benzene exposure and perceived stress with menstrual disturbance. A prospective study is needed to confirm this finding.
Thurston
S W
SW
Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. sthurst@hsph.harvard.edu
Ryan
L
L
Christiani
D C
DC
Snow
R
R
Carlson
J
J
You
L
L
Cui
S
S
Ma
G
G
Wang
L
L
Huang
Y
Y
Xu
X
X
D000328:Adult; D001554:Benzene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002681:China; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology*; D009839:Oligomenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology
D010578:Petroleum; D001554:Benzene