A Review of the Effect of Menstruation on Accident Involvement, Size of Visual Field, and Color Perception

Abstract

A review of the relationship between the menstrual cycle and three aspects of female industrial performance is presented. The performance aspects considered are accident involvement, size of visual field, and color perception. The literature relative to the phases of the menstrual cycle and their effect on accident involvement is conflicting from the standpoint of conclusions reached and often inappropriate with respect to the sample of women studied. The literature relative to detailing significant effects of the menstrual cycle on the individual's visual field and color perception is less copious than that concerning accidents, but less conflicting in conclusions reached. There is apparently a significant narrowing of the visual field and distortion of color perception during the pre-menstrual phase. The literature is reviewed and an hypothesis posed which could potentially explain any increase in accident involvement during the pre-menstrual and menstrual flow stages.