Menstrual history may hold the key to women's heart health: BMC Medicine

The study, conducted by researchers in the UK and using data from The Health Improvement Network, found that women with a history of irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles were at higher risk for a range of cardiometabolic outcomes, including ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Over a 26-year period, the retrospective cohort study followed over 704,743 women aged 18-40. Over 252,325 of these women had a history of irregular menstruation and were matched with up to two controls. The regularity and frequency of menstrual cycles were investigated.

The primary outcome was composite cardiovascular disease, and secondary outcomes included ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The study found the following clinical findings:

1. The study found that compared to women with regular menstrual cycles, those with irregular cycles had higher adjusted hazard ratios for all cardiometabolic outcomes except cerebrovascular disease.
2. The hazard ratios were even higher for women with infrequent or frequent menstrual cycles than those with normal frequency cycles.
3. Menstrual history could be useful in identifying women at increased risk of cardiometabolic outcomes in later life.

The findings of this study are important because they highlight the need for better recognition of menstrual cycle characteristics as a factor associated with cardiovascular disease risk.

“Women with irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles may benefit from more frequent evaluation of their cardiometabolic health, which may aid in preventing or managing future disease. As such, "this study adds to the growing body of evidence that supports a more personalized approach to cardiovascular disease prevention and management in women.” the researchers added.

Reference:

Okoth, K., Smith, W.P., Thomas, G.N. et al. The association between menstrual cycle characteristics and cardiometabolic outcomes in later life: a retrospective matched cohort study of 704,743 women from the UK. BMC Med 21, 104 (2023).

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-023-02794-x