Association between menstrual cycle irregularity and tinnitus: a nationwide population-based study

Jin-Na Yu,Ga Eun Nam,Ji-Su Kim,Kyung Hwan Cho,Kyungdo Han,Yang-Hyun Kim,Gunseog Kang,Yong Kyun Roh

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-50559-5

Abstract

This population-based cross-sectional study investigated the association between menstrual cycle irregularity and tinnitus in premenopausal Korean women. We used data from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012). A total of 4633 premenopausal women were included. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Individuals with tinnitus accounted for 21.6%. Women with tinnitus or menstrual irregularity had significantly higher rates of stress, depressive mood, and suicidal ideation than those without. The proportion of individuals with irregular menstrual cycles with duration of longer than 3 months increased as the severity of tinnitus increased (P = 0.01). After adjusting for confounding variables, the odds of tinnitus increased in individuals with irregular menstrual cycles compared to those with regular menstrual cycles. The odds ratios (ORs) of tinnitus tended to increase as the duration of menstrual irregularity became longer (1.37, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–1.78 for duration of up to 3 months; 1.71, 1.03–2.85 for duration of longer than 3 months, P for trend = 0.002). Our study found a positive association between menstrual cycle irregularity and tinnitus. Menstrual cycle irregularity may be a related factor of tinnitus in women with childbearing age.

Highlights

Tinnitus refers to a perception of sound even in the absence of external auditory stimuli[1]
The proportion of menstrual cycle irregularity was higher in participants with tinnitus than those without (P = 0.001)
The participants with tinnitus had a higher rate of smoking than those without tinnitus (P = 0.003), alcohol drinking, physical activity, and sleep duration did not differ between two groups according to tinnitus

Summary

Introduction

Tinnitus refers to a perception of sound even in the absence of external auditory stimuli[1]. Various mental health characteristics in women with tinnitus may be related to their menstrual cycle[16,17]. Menstrual cycle irregularity is associated with mental health characteristics in women[17,26]. Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression are risk factors for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is known to cause menstrual cycle irregularity[27]. In this way, both tinnitus and menstrual cycle irregularity seem to be closely related to the physical and mental health in women. To the best of our knowledge, the relationship between menstrual cycle irregularity and tinnitus has been scarcely studied

Methods

Results

Conclusion