---
title: Does shift work or clean room environments worsen PMS and menstrual pain?
description: 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 menstr
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-between-shift-work-and-clean-room-environment-on-self-reported-2024/
---

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- Does shift work or clean room environments worsen PMS and menstrual pain?

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.

 Moderate study design

7,193 female employees aged 18-55 at an electronics manufacturer in Taiwan

## 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](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2024.04.006)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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