Shift work could delay menopause, with potential harm to health
Women whose jobs require shift work may experience delayed menopause, according to a new study, and it could be bad for their health.
Whether it’s working the overnight shift or different hours from day to day, shift work has been linked to higher risks for a variety of health problems, including certain cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues such as depression.
This new Canadian study found a relationship between rotating shifts and delayed menopause.
Researchers suspect shift work might disrupt circadian rhythms — the body’s 24-hour internal clock. They said the disruption may trigger changes in estrogen production.
“We all know that we in society or any community cannot survive without shift work,” said lead author Durdana Khan, a doctoral candidate in kinesiology and health science at York University in Toronto.
“Shift work is everywhere, she said — health care, emergency and security personnel, industry. “But its negative impact on workers’ health cannot be overlooked. I think all women should be aware of the impact of the shift work on their health.”
