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Associations between shift work, sleep quality and menstrual disorders among nurses: a cross-sectional analysis study
Ying Tang1,2,3, Miao Zhang4, Wendi Xu4
1School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
BMC Nursing
|July 17, 2026
Summary
Shift work, particularly rotating shifts, is linked to menstrual disorders like irregular cycles and dysmenorrhea in female nurses. Poor sleep quality partially mediates this association, especially for irregular cycles, underscoring the need for sleep health considerations in occupational health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Reproductive Health
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Shift work is prevalent among nurses, potentially impacting their reproductive health.
- Understanding the relationship between occupational exposures and menstrual disorders is crucial for female healthcare workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between shift work and menstrual disorders in female nurses.
- To explore the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between shift work and menstrual disorders.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 3,544 female nurses from Anhui Province, China.
- Data collected via questionnaires on shift work, sleep quality, and menstrual health.
- Statistical analyses included logistic regression and latent class analysis for sleep patterns, with mediation analysis to assess sleep quality's role.
Main Results:
- Rotating shift work was associated with higher odds of irregular menstrual cycles and dysmenorrhea.
- Long-term rotating shift work and night shifts were linked to increased risk of menorrhagia.
- Poor sleep quality and specific sleep patterns were associated with menstrual disorders; sleep quality partially mediated the link between shift work and irregular cycles.
Conclusions:
- Shift work and poor sleep quality are significant risk factors for menstrual disorders among nurses.
- Sleep quality acts as a mediator, particularly in the association between shift work and irregular menstrual cycles.
- Interventions should address both occupational scheduling and sleep health to improve reproductive well-being in shift-working nurses.
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