The impact of self-perceived job stress on menstrual patterns among Taiwanese nurses.
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of self-reported job stress on menstrual patterns among nurses. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of nursing staff from five psychiatric institutions and four general hospitals in Taiwan. A total of 746 participants were eligible for the final analysis, among whom, 72.3% were ascertained as having a self-perceived high level of job stress. Self-perceived high job stress was significantly associated with irregular menstrual cycles [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 4.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.3-7.2] and longer menstrual bleeding periods (more than 7 d) [AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.7-3.7], but was not significantly related to long or short menstrual cycles. Overall, this study suggests that nurses' self-perceived job stress may be associated with certain aspects of menstrual dysfunction. Further investigations with prospective follow-up studies and urine hormonal measurements are now recommended to provide additional insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms of our findings.
Guanhsi Town Health Station, Guanhsi, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan.
Hsin-Tsui
HT
Lin
Li-Chan
LC
Lin
Judith S C
JS
Shiao
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009729:Nursing; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010465:Perception; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology