Irregular Menstrual Cycles Linked to Higher Risk of Heart and Metabolic Diseases, Finds Meta-Analysis
Egypt: Women with irregular menstrual cycles may face significantly higher risks of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, a recent meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology has shown.
The research, led by Ahson Afzal from Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, provides compelling evidence linking menstrual irregularities to a spectrum of cardiometabolic diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes.
This comprehensive review—marking the first meta-analysis to explore the relationship between menstrual irregularities and cardiovascular risk—synthesized findings from eight observational studies encompassing 354,419 women.
Key Findings:
- Women with irregular menstrual cycles had a 43% higher risk of overall cardiovascular disease compared with those with regular cycles.
- The risk of cerebrovascular disease was 62% higher, coronary artery disease increased by 29%, and heart failure risk rose by 45% among women with irregular cycles.
- The likelihood of developing hypertension was 1.5 times higher in women with menstrual irregularities.
- Beyond cardiovascular conditions, women with irregular cycles had a 75% higher risk of diabetes mellitus and a 33% higher risk of hypercholesterolemia, both contributing to long-term cardiometabolic complications.
Researchers emphasized that these results underscore the role of menstrual characteristics as early indicators of cardiometabolic vulnerability. Identifying and addressing irregular menstrual patterns could, therefore, provide a valuable opportunity for early intervention and prevention.
“Menstrual irregularities are not just a reproductive concern—they may reflect underlying metabolic or hormonal imbalances that predispose women to chronic cardiovascular conditions,” the authors noted.
While the underlying mechanisms remain under investigation, potential explanations include hormonal dysregulation, insulin resistance, and inflammation—all of which can contribute to the development of heart disease and diabetes. The authors highlighted the need for greater clinical awareness, urging healthcare professionals to incorporate menstrual history into cardiovascular risk assessments for women.
"The meta-analysis provides strong evidence that irregular menstrual cycles are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and metabolic diseases. Regular health check-ups and early evaluation of menstrual irregularities could play a pivotal role in preventing long-term cardiometabolic complications among women," the authors concluded.
The researchers call for future prospective studies to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations and to develop effective preventive strategies.
Reference:
Afzal, A., Samir Abdelkader, O. K., Abd-ElGawad, M., Dean, Y. E., Aboeldahb, M., Popoola-Samuel, H. A., Hamdy, A., Elmezayen, R. W., Elalem, A., Aziz, N. Z., Thakur, A., Jain, A., Al Dhneem, H. N., Hamed Elkasaby, H. M., Atta, R., Anghel, I., Donaldy, W., Toraih, E., & Aiash, H. (2025). Menstrual irregularities and cardiometabolic risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 114796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114796
