The Associations Between Body Mass Index, Smoking, and Alcohol Intake with Ovarian Volume in Midlife Women.

Background: Despite the fact that ovarian volume is a marker of reproductive aging, there is little understanding of factors related to ovarian volume among aging women. The objective of this analysis was to examine the associations between body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, and alcohol intake with ovarian volume among midlife women.

Materials And Methods: Data were analyzed from 771 women (45-54 years of age at baseline) enrolled in the Midlife Women's Health Study, a cohort study that was initiated in 2006.

Risk factors for hot flashes among women undergoing the menopausal transition: baseline results from the Midlife Women's Health Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the associations of demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and hormone concentrations with the experience of any, current, more severe, and more frequent midlife hot flashes.

Methods: Baseline data from 732 women aged 45 to 54 years who were enrolled in the Midlife Women's Health Study were analyzed. A clinic visit was conducted to collect blood samples for hormone assays and to measure ovarian volume using transvaginal ultrasound.

Change in body mass index, weight, and hot flashes: a longitudinal analysis from the midlife women's health study.

Background: The goals of this study were to examine the associations between body mass index (BMI), as well as BMI change and weight change, with midlife hot flashes.

Methods: Data were analyzed from an ongoing 5-year cohort study of 631 midlife women (ages 45-54 years) recruited from Baltimore, Maryland, and its surrounding counties. Height and weight were measured at clinic visits conducted annually.

Somatic symptoms among cosmetologists compared to women in other occupations.

Background: Although the literature pertaining to the cosmetology occupation and specific health effects, such as asthma, dermatitis, and reproductive function, has grown substantially, little information is available about whether cosmetologists are at increased risk of other symptoms compared to women working in other occupations. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if cosmetologists of reproductive age are at increased risk of self-reported symptoms compared to women of the same age working in other occupations.

Methods: Data were analyzed from 450 cosmetologists and 511 women in other occupations, aged 21-55 years, in the Baltimore metropolitan region who responded to a mailed survey that ascertained detailed data on symptoms as well as usual work tasks.

Adverse health outcomes among cosmetologists and noncosmetologists in the Reproductive Outcomes of Salon Employees (ROSE) study.

The purpose of this study was to examine adverse health outcomes, including those related to cardiovascular and skin health as well as respiratory functions, among cosmetologists aged 21 to 55 yr and to compare data to women of the same age working in other occupations. Self-reported data were analyzed from 450 cosmetologists and 511 women in other occupations who participated in the Reproductive Outcomes of Salon Employees (ROSE) study in Maryland. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed using logistic regression to examine the associations between cosmetologist occupation and each adverse health outcome adjusted for age, education, and smoking status.

Health outcomes of children born to cosmetologists compared to children of women in other occupations.

The purpose of the study was to examine the health of children born to cosmetologists compared to the health of children of women working in other occupations. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 319 cosmetologists and 366 women in other occupations aged 21 to 55 years who reported at least one live birth. Repeated-measures modeling was used to account for lack of independence among multiple pregnancies per participant.

Menstrual cycle abnormalities among cosmetologists: the Reproductive Outcomes in Salon Employees (ROSE) study.

This study was conducted to examine whether cosmetologists of reproductive age are at increased risk of menstrual cycle abnormalities compared to women of the same age working in other occupations. Participants in the study (450 cosmetologists and 511 noncosmetologists) were recruited through mass mailing of questionnaires. To be included in the study, respondents to the survey had to be between 21 and 55 years of age and not have had a hysterectomy/oophorectomy.

Infertility among cosmetologists.

Although chemicals used in hair salons have been linked to infertility in animal models, little is known about whether exposures in hair salons are associated with infertility in women. Thus, a survey-based study was performed to investigate infertility in 448 cosmetologists and 508 non-cosmetologists working in Baltimore, Maryland and its surrounding counties. Infertility was assessed with questions addressing time-to-pregnancy (TTP) length (>or=12 months), consulting a medical professional about fertility problems, and taking medication to become or maintain a pregnancy.

Cosmetologists and reproductive outcomes.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that cosmetologists are at increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes compared with women of the same age who are not cosmetologists.

Methods: Participants were recruited through mass mailing of questionnaires. To be included in the study, respondents to the survey had to be aged between 21 and 55 years and not have had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy.