Frequency distributions of menstrual cycle characteristics in female workers by non-fabrication (non-fab) and fabrication (fab) work areas
| Menstruation cycle characteristics | Non-fab | Fab | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etching | Thin film | Photolithography | Diffusion | ||
| *Mental premenstrual symptoms include mood liability, anxiety, tension, depression, lethargy, fatigue, mood swings, aggressiveness, feelings of insecurity, confusion, and a craving for sweet food. Subjects exhibiting four or more symptoms were defined as abnormal. | |||||
| †Physical premenstrual symptoms include abdominal bloating, abdominal discomfort or pain, breast tenderness or pain, weight gain, oedema, headaches, backaches, and nausea. Subjects exhibiting four or more symptoms were defined as abnormal. | |||||
| Number of workers | 133 | 163 | 127 | 74 | 109 |
| Length of cycle (%) | |||||
| <24 days | 4.5 | 6.7 | 5.5 | 8.1 | 5.5 |
| 24–35 days | 84.2 | 82.8 | 77.2 | 64.9 | 71.6 |
| >35 days | 11.3 | 10.4 | 17.3 | 27.0 | 22.9 |
| Variability in length of cycle (%) | |||||
| <7 days | 84.2 | 90.8 | 84.3 | 75.7 | 80.7 |
| ⩾7 days | 15.8 | 9.2 | 15.7 | 24.3 | 19.3 |
| Duration of bleeding (%) | |||||
| 3–6 days | 76.7 | 76.7 | 75.6 | 79.7 | 78.9 |
| <3 or >6 days | 23.3 | 23.3 | 24.4 | 20.3 | 21.1 |
| Amount of flow (%) | |||||
| ⩽8 sanitary towels | 77.4 | 79.8 | 82.7 | 85.1 | 82.6 |
| >8 sanitary towels | 22.6 | 20.2 | 17.3 | 14.9 | 17.4 |
| Premenstrual mental symptoms* (%) | |||||
| 0–3 | 83.5 | 84.0 | 85.0 | 83.8 | 85.3 |
| ⩾4 | 16.5 | 16.0 | 15.0 | 16.2 | 17.4 |
| Premenstrual physical symptoms† (%) | |||||
| 0–3 | 85.0 | 89.6 | 83.5 | 86.5 | 78.9 |
| ⩾4 | 15.0 | 10.4 | 16.5 | 13.5 | 22.0 |