Cohort study, 2012
Does a history of depression increase the risk of heavy menstrual bleeding?
Yes. Women who had a past history of depression were about 1.89 times more likely to report heavy menstrual bleeding. Depression history was not linked to other bleeding problems or premenstrual symptoms.
What they did
Researchers interviewed 934 midlife women about their menstrual health, bleeding patterns, and psychiatric history. They determined who had depression by using standardized psychiatric interviews.
What they found
One third of women reported heavy bleeding and one third had a past history of depression. Women with a past depression history were much more likely to have heavy bleeding (about 1.89 times more likely than women without depression history). Past depression was not linked to other types of abnormal bleeding or premenstrual symptoms when recent depression was taken into account.
What it means for you
A past history of depression may be a marker for heavy menstrual bleeding in middle-aged women, though we do not know why. The study included many different ethnic groups, which makes it stronger, but it only shows that the two conditions are linked, not that one causes the other.
934
women studied
1.89
times more likely to have heavy bleeding with depression history
one third
with heavy bleeding
About the study
- Original title
- Association of past and recent major depression and menstrual characteristics in midlife: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation
- Authors
- Bromberger JT, Schott LL, Matthews KA et al.
- Journal
- Menopause (New York, N.Y.)
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 934
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e318248f2d5
Topics
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