World Health Day 2025: The Silent Strain of Shift Work on Women’s Heart and Reproductive Health

While the growing presence of women in diverse professional roles is a significant milestone, it also brings with it a complex web of health concerns that rarely receive the attention they deserve. There are many often-overlooked health challenges faced by women in the modern workforce—particularly those engaged in shift work. Chief among them is the toll that it takes on women’s cardiovascular and reproductive health.

Industries such as healthcare, aviation, security, and manufacturing increasingly rely on shift-based roles. For women, especially those balancing caregiving duties alongside professional responsibilities, the irregular hours and rotating schedules compound physical and emotional strain. We tap an expert to understand how this strain, often invisible, gradually undermines women’s long-term health.

“Disruptions in circadian rhythms—caused by inconsistent sleep schedules and exposure to artificial lighting during night shifts—have a direct impact on heart health,” says Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director, International SOS. Studies have shown that women working night shifts face a greater risk of developing high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery disease.

The American Heart Association has pointed to chronic stress and poor sleep, both common among shift workers, as significant contributors to cardiovascular disease, particularly in women.

What is Besides Cardiovascular Diseases?

Beyond the heart, reproductive health also suffers under the weight of irregular schedules. “Women working shifts frequently report menstrual irregularities, delayed ovulation, and increased incidences of infertility. Pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and premature birth, are also more prevalent among this group, especially when recovery time between shifts is insufficient,” says Dr Vora, adding that these issues stem largely from hormonal imbalances, especially disruptions in melatonin production, which is sensitive to light exposure and sleep cycles.

The situation is further complicated by the cognitive and emotional burdens many women carry. Managing household responsibilities in addition to professional demands leads to what is often termed a “double shift”. “This continuous engagement with little rest intensifies mental fatigue, heightens stress levels, and diminishes overall well-being. Sleep disorders, anxiety, immune system dysfunction, and burnout become recurring themes—frequently overlooked or misattributed to personal shortcomings rather than systemic stressors,” says Dr Vora.

Societal Norms and Addressing the Challenges at a Higher Level

Societal norms that place the burden of emotional labour disproportionately on women only exacerbate the issue. The lack of predictable routines in shift-based work undermines their ability to regulate stress and maintain emotional stability, leading to a gradual erosion of physical and psychological resilience.

Addressing these challenges requires more than individual coping mechanisms—it demands organisational and policy-level change. “Employers must recognise the unique physiological needs of women in shift work roles and adopt science-backed interventions that support circadian health,” Dr Vora suggests, adding that these could include regulated shift rotations, structured rest periods, access to healthcare services that consider gender-specific needs, and leadership that prioritises empathy and inclusivity.

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