Assessment of menstrual variability in working populations.

Though the relationship between exposure to chemicals and damage to ovarian tissue has been demonstrated, there have been few attempts to assess the effect of occupational exposures on menstrual cycles. Previous research has reported the mean cycle lengths and duration of flow for large populations. However, additional research is needed to analyze the variability of cycles of individual working women. Cycle length is the most assessable indicator of ovarian damage and subsequent effects on menstrual patterns, but the reliability of self-reports of cycle length has been shown to be poor. Improved methods to accurately assess individual menstrual variability are needed. Educational programs should be provided for workers to increase their knowledge of the effects of chemicals on reproductive functioning and ultimately to increase their sensitivity to recording accurate data on menstrual patterns. Numerous factors can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal balance. The simultaneous effects of these factors and exposures to chemicals in the workplace need further investigation.