Objective: To evaluate the association of sleep parameters on female and male reproductive functions.Design: Systematic review.Setting: Not applicable.
Patient(s):Both female and male individuals, either healthy or infertile.
Study Objectives
This exploratory study assessed the impact of sex and hormonal contraceptives (HC) use on the homeostatic and diurnal variation of alertness, fatigue, sleepiness, psychomotor performance and sleep behavior in police officers working rotating shifts.
Methods
A total of 56 men and 20 women (6 using, 11 not using, and 3 with unknown use of HC) participated in an observational study throughout a month-long work cycle. Participants wore an actigraph, filled out a sleep and work log, answered questionnaires (Samn-Perelli, KSS, Visual Analogue Scales), and completed 5-min Psychomotor Vigilance Tasks (PVT) according to an ecological momentary assessment approach. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the effects of group (men, women, HC use), time awake and time of day on the dependant variables.
Results
Self-reported parameters and performance significantly varied with time awake and time of day. Women were more fatigued and sleepier than men, when considering both time awake and time of day. Compared to men, women using HC were more fatigued, less alert and sleepier. Women had less attention lapses than men after 7 and 17 h awake, although no main effect of HC was detected.
Conclusions
Women tended to rate themselves as more fatigued than men, especially when using HC. Surprisingly, psychomotor performances of women were sometimes better than those of men. This exploratory study indicates that sex and hormonal contraceptives are important factors to consider in occupational medicine.
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