Distribution and determinants of menstrual disorders among nurses serving at tertiary level hospitals in Bangladesh

The menstrual cycle is considered one of the indicators of female reproductive health, while disturbances such as dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation are common among reproductive women. These conditions not only lead to anovulation and subfertility but also impair daily functioning and work productivity. Occupational characteristics, along with lifestyle, significantly impact menstrual health. We aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of menstrual disorders and to identify associated lifestyle and occupational factors among nurses in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 373 female nurses of reproductive age with at least one year of clinical work experience. The study was conducted in seven hospitals across Dhaka, Bangladesh. Menstrual disorders were defined as the presence of one or more of the following: abnormal menstrual duration, irregular cycle length, cycle length variation, or dysmenorrhea. Data were collected via structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression. More than four in five participants (80.7%) reported at least one menstrual disorder. Dysmenorrhea was the most prevalent condition (54.16%), followed by cycle length variation (53.4%), irregular cycles (26.0%), and abnormal menstrual duration (23.6%). After adjustment for other factors, sleeping 6–8 h per day was associated with reduced odds of abnormal menstrual duration (AOR 0.48; 95% CI 0.26–0.87) and irregular cycle length (AOR 0.57; 95% CI 0.31–1.02). Nurses working in emergency or intensive care units had significantly higher odds of Irregular menstrual cycle length (AOR 2.48; 95% CI 1.09–5.61). Age, family history of dysmenorrhea, working hours, patient attendance, and shift type were also significantly associated with menstrual health outcomes. Menstrual disorders are common among Bangladeshi nurses, and the association was observed with self-reported sleep deprivation, work environment, and familial predisposition. Occupational health policies should prioritize menstrual well-being by addressing shift work, stress, and proper sleep. Longitudinal studies are needed to explore causality and underlying mechanisms.