Survey study, 2002
What medical conditions and lifestyle factors affect menstrual cycle patterns?
Several factors are linked to abnormal cycle patterns. Higher body weight, depression, starting periods after age 14, smoking, and a history of difficulty getting pregnant are all associated with changes in cycle length.
What they did
Researchers studied 3941 women aged 21 to 40 who were not taking birth control pills. The women reported information about their health conditions, lifestyle habits, and menstrual cycle patterns. Data were collected between 1994 and 1996.
What they found
Women with very high body mass index (35 or higher) were much more likely to have long cycles compared to women with normal body mass index (22-23). Women who started their periods after age 14 were more likely to have long or irregular cycles. Depression was associated with long and irregular cycles. Smoking was linked to short cycles. Women with a history of difficulty getting pregnant were more likely to have long cycles, irregular cycles, or bleeding between periods. Women with long cycles were much more likely to have had a miscarriage.
What it means for you
Weight, depression, age when periods start, smoking, and infertility history are linked to cycle pattern changes. The main limitation is that this is a cross-sectional study (a snapshot in time), so we cannot determine if these factors cause the cycle changes or the reverse. Results also apply only to women in Iowa and North Carolina.
5.4
times higher likelihood of long cycles with BMI 35+ versus BMI 22-23
2.3
times higher likelihood of miscarriage with long cycles
3941
women in study from Iowa and North Carolina
About the study
- Original title
- Influence of medical conditions and lifestyle factors on the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Rowland AS, Baird DD, Long S et al.
- Journal
- Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 3,941
- What was tested
- None - observational study.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00001648-200211000-00011
Topics
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