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Frequent night shifts (≥2 per week) are associated with increased risk of PMDD symptoms in Chinese female nurses

Q: What is the prevalence of PMDD symptoms among Chinese female nurses?

The study found a prevalence of 42.4% for PMDD symptoms in this population.

Q: How many night shifts per week increase PMDD risk?

Working ≥2 night shifts per week was significantly associated with higher PMDD risk (p < .001).

Q: What other lifestyle factors were linked to PMDD symptoms?

Higher BMI (24-27.9 kg/m2), weekly exercise <30 minutes, and a history of alcohol use were also associated with increased PMDD risk.

Q: What were the main correlations with PMDD symptom severity?

CTDP-C scores showed strong positive correlations with depression (r=0.702), anxiety (r=0.680), poor sleep quality (r=0.493), and occupational stress (r=0.500).

A cross-sectional study of 1,031 Chinese female nurses found that those working ≥2 night shifts per week had significantly higher risk of PMDD symptoms (p < .001). The prevalence of PMDD symptoms in this population was 42.4%, with night shift frequency identified as a significant predictor in multivariate regression.

Last updated: Aug 1, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100

Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆

Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆

Mechanism★★★★★

Safety★★★★☆

Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms in Chinese Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

observational

Chen Y, Luo M, Chen Y, Mao T, Zhang Q, Liang T, Liu J, Zhang Y · Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2026)

Participants: N/A

Duration: N/A (cross-sectional)

Intervention: Night shift frequency (≥2 night shifts per week vs. fewer)

Outcome: PMDD symptoms measured by the Chinese version of the Core Symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Questionnaire (CTDP-C)

Effect Size: N/A (p < .001 reported for association)

Population: Chinese female nurses (n=1,031)

Result:

PubMed: 42522984 DOI: 10.1177/10783903261466139

Mechanism Graph

Frequent night shifts disrupt circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles

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Circadian disruption alters hormonal regulation (e.g., melatonin, cortisol, reproductive hormones)

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Hormonal dysregulation exacerbates premenstrual mood and physical symptoms

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Result: Increased risk of PMDD symptoms

Limitations

⚠Cross-sectional design prevents establishing causality between night shifts and PMDD symptoms
⚠Reliance on self-reported questionnaires may introduce recall bias or social desirability bias

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the prevalence of PMDD symptoms among Chinese female nurses?▼

The study found a prevalence of 42.4% for PMDD symptoms in this population.

How many night shifts per week increase PMDD risk?▼

Working ≥2 night shifts per week was significantly associated with higher PMDD risk (p < .001).

What other lifestyle factors were linked to PMDD symptoms?▼

Higher BMI (24-27.9 kg/m2), weekly exercise <30 minutes, and a history of alcohol use were also associated with increased PMDD risk.

What were the main correlations with PMDD symptom severity?▼

CTDP-C scores showed strong positive correlations with depression (r=0.702), anxiety (r=0.680), poor sleep quality (r=0.493), and occupational stress (r=0.500).

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References

1.Chen Y, Luo M, Chen Y, Mao T, Zhang Q, Liang T, Liu J, Zhang Y. "Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms in Chinese Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.." Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2026. PMID: 42522984 DOI: 10.1177/10783903261466139

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.