Menstrual irregularities increased the risk of cardiovascular disease
Oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea and irregular menstrual cycle were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. No relationship between menstrual irregularity and cerebrovascular disease was found.Researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Leicester and the University of New South Wales in Kensington assessed the impact of menstrual irregularities on the risk of cardiovascular disease. The results of the study are published in the European Heart Journal.
The researchers found that oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea and irregular menstruation increased the overall risk of cardiovascular disease by 29%. The probability of coronary heart disease increased in such patients by 22%, and myocardial infarction - by 37%. At the same time, no increase in the risk of cerebrovascular diseases was observed.
After analyzing with obesity, the revealed relationship remained unchanged. The results of the study did not allow to unequivocally assess the role of hyperandrogenism in the development of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the researchers were unable to find studies that evaluated the impact of polycystic ovary syndrome as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
They analyzed PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and identified 23 studies that included a total of 346,486 women. The impact of amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, or irregular menstruation on the likelihood of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease was assessed.