Case-control study, 2002
Does mercury exposure at work affect period pain and menstrual symptoms?
Yes, women exposed to mercury vapor at work have significantly higher rates of period pain and cramping. Since this is observational research, it shows association but not definite causation.
What they did
Compared 296 female workers exposed to mercury vapor with 394 women from food processing plants (control group). All were ages 18-44 and had worked at their location for at least 1 year.
What they found
Mercury-exposed women had significantly higher prevalence of abdominal pain (odds ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.03-2.11) and dysmenorrhea (odds ratio 1.66, 95% CI 1.07-2.59) compared to controls.
What it means for you
Mercury exposure at work is associated with increased menstrual pain. This is observational data from China, so it shows association rather than proving direct causation. Results may not apply to other countries or workplace settings.
296
women exposed to mercury
OR 1.47
abdominal pain odds ratio
OR 1.66
dysmenorrhea odds ratio
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of metallic mercury on the perimenstrual symptoms and menstrual outcomes of exposed workers
- Authors
- Yang JM, Chen QY, Jiang XZ
- Journal
- American journal of industrial medicine
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 394
- What was tested
- Occupational mercury vapor exposure (not a clinical trial)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/ajim.10130
Topics
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