Association of psychosocial factors at work with fertility and menstrual disorders: A systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to assess the association between psychosocial factors in the workplace and menstrual abnormalities or fertility, focusing on literature implementing a prospective cohort design.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and Japan Medical Abstracts Society electronic databases for studies published from inception to February 26, 2020, and updated the search in PubMed on May 29, 2024. Inclusion criteria were (P) adult female workers (over 18 years old), (E) presence of adverse psychosocial factors at work, (C) absence of adverse psychosocial factors at work, and (O) any menstrual cycle disorders, menstrual-related symptoms, or fertility issues. Prospective cohort studies were included. The included studies were summarized descriptively.

Results: Database searching yielded 14,238 abstracts, with nine studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Outcomes included fertility (n = 5), irregular menstrual cycle (n = 1), early menopause (n = 1), endometriosis (n = 1), and serum hormones (n = 1). Study findings included that women with high job demands and low job control were less likely to conceive, and working over 40 h per week and frequent heavy lifting, and rotating night shift work increased the risk of earlier menopause. Studies on night shift/rotating work and fertility outcomes showed no significant differences.

Conclusion: This review underscores the insufficient high-level evidence regarding the association of psychosocial factors at work with fertility and menstrual disorders, emphasizing the necessity for future well-designed studies.

Keywords: biopsychosocial medicine; endocrine; gynecology; occupational health; reproductive health.