Working conditions associated with ovarian cycle in a medical center nurses: A Taiwan study
Decreased basal body temperature measurements predict ovulation with an accuracy of 74%. The anovulatory cycle exhibits an ovarian monophasic pattern. This study evaluated the relationship between ovarian cycle pattern and sociodemographic characteristics, menstrual history and work characteristics of nurses in a Taiwan medical center.Of 200 nurses recruited, 151 were analyzed. Each subject completed questionnaires and provided life recordings and daily basal body temperature measurements during the 14-week study.The analytical results demonstrated that work place (P = 0.014) and work shift (P = 0.048) are significantly related to ovarian cycle pattern. Nurses who worked in emergent care units and wards had a higher prevalence of irregular ovarian cycle pattern. Approximately 53% of nurses who worked rotating shifts exhibited irregular ovarian cycle pattern.Nurses who either had rotating shift work or worked in emergent care units and wards should be concerned with their own ovarian cycle pattern for their health.