Reproductive disorders and pregnancy outcomes among female flight attendants.

BACKGROUND

Occupational exposures in female aircrew may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes and menstrual disturbances. We studied reproductive health among female flight attendants.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional health survey among an occupational cohort of current and former flight attendants using a postal questionnaire including items on pregnancy outcome, menstrual characteristics, and infertility. We investigated these factors by occupational status (in service or not).

RESULTS

The questionnaire was sent to 3036 women with a response rate of 64% (74% for current and 48% for former flight attendants). Spontaneous abortion rates were similar for pregnancies of women in service and not (12.6 vs. 11.4%; p = 0.58). Induced abortion rates were lower for in-service pregnancies (7.9%) compared with pregnancies of women not in service (21.1%) (p < 0.001). Menstrual irregularities in the year preceding the survey for women under 40 yr were more frequent among current than former flight attendants (20.6% vs. 10.4%, p = 0.02). Fertility problems were reported by 20.6% of respondents. An association between infertility and irregular menstrual cycles was found: odds ratio 1.6; 95% confidence limits 1.1, 2.4.

CONCLUSIONS

Active flight attendants had a lower rate of induced abortions than former flight attendants, but the spontaneous abortion rate was similar between the two groups. Active flight attendants reported more menstrual irregularities, which are a risk factor for infertility. Lack of comparison with working women in other occupations precludes a conclusion that flight attendants are at greater occupational risk of reproductive disorders. Future studies of reproductive health in flight attendants should address personal and work-related risk factors in more detail and include comparison occupational groups.