European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Volume 147, Issue 1 , Pages 61-64, November 2009

Menstrual disorders and subfertility in Spanish hairdressers

  • Elena Ronda

      Affiliations

    • Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Alicante, Spain
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Universidad de Alicante, Ap. de Correos 99 – 03080 Alicante, Spain. Tel.: +34 965903835; fax: +34 965904964.
    • ,
  • Ana Maria García

      Affiliations

    • Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Valencia, Spain
    • Trade Union Institute of Work, Environment and Health (ISTAS), Valencia, Spain
    • CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
    • ,
  • José Sánchez-Paya

      Affiliations

    • Preventive Medicine Service, Alicante General Hospital, Spain
    • ,
  • Bente E. Moen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway

Received 22 January 2009; received in revised form 7 July 2009; accepted 25 July 2009. published online 17 August 2009.

Abstract 

Objective

Hairdressing is associated with adverse effects on reproductive health. This research investigates whether female hairdressers have increased risks of subfertility and menstrual disorders.

Study design

Cross sectional study. Participants were all female hairdressers below 50 years of age (n=310) working in registered hairdressing salons in Alicante, Spain and a control group comprising female shop assistants and office workers (n=310). Menstrual disorders were defined as any of five menstrual cycle characteristics: short cycles, long cycles, irregular cycles, not experiencing a period for more than 6 weeks (missed period), and bleeding or spotting between periods (intermenstrual bleeding). Subfertility problems were defined as reporting unprotected intercourse over a period of more than 12 months without a pregnancy. The data were analysed by logistic regression, calculating odds ratios (OR), crude and adjusted for age and smoking status.

Results

Menstrual disorder prevalence among hairdressers over 12 months prior to the study was 9.7%, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.87(CI95% 0.99–3.91) compared with the control group. Furthermore, 5.5% of hairdressers reported unprotected intercourse over a period of more than 12 months without a pregnancy, adjusted OR of 2.17(CI95% 0.91–5.17).

Conclusions

Our results suggest an increased risk of subfertility and menstrual disorders in hairdressers compared to a control group of office workers and shop assistants. More research is needed in order to elucidate what particular occupational exposure may explain this association. Nevertheless, it would seem that chemicals present in hairdressing salons could be responsible.

Keywords: Workplace exposure, Menstrual disorders, Reproduction, Fertility

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PII: S0301-2115(09)00482-5

doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.07.020

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Volume 147, Issue 1 , Pages 61-64, November 2009

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