Menstrual cycles in nurses handling antineoplastic drugs.

Given the association between high-dose antineoplastic drug therapy and effects on gonadal function, a cross-sectional study was designed to explore the relationship between low-dose occupational exposure to antineoplastic questionnaire survey of the members of two national organizations for nurses was conducted, resulting in a sample of 1,458 female subjects. Subjects obtained from the two organizations were compared on major demographic and work characteristics and were found to be similar on most factors other than occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs. An association was found between menstrual dysfunction and current handling of cancer drugs in subjects between ages 30 and 45 years [prevalence odds ratio (OR) = 1.6, confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-1.9]. A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that subjects ages 30-45 who were currently administering antineoplastic drugs had the highest adjusted OR (3.4, CI = 1.6-7.3) when compared with subjects with no previous or current handling. Additional risk factors significantly associated with menstrual irregularity were stress level of work and the interaction of smoking and stress.