Researchers Find Link Between Irregular and Long Menstrual Cycles and Early Death in Women

A new study that the British Medical Journal published showed, irregular and long menstrual cycles in adolescents and adults are linked to a higher risk of early death, specifically before a female individual turns 70.

The links were stronger for cardiovascular disease deaths and when long and irregular menstrual cycles continually existed during adolescence and adulthood. They were a bit stronger as well, among women who smoked.

The study findings emphasize the need to think of the menstrual cycle as an important indicator of general health in women "during their reproductive lifespan."

The study authors said that irregular and long menstrual cycles are typical among women in their reproductive age. Those who have been linked to a greater risk of major chronic illnesses like ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and mental health illnesses.

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Limited Evidence Linking Irregular Menstrual Cycle with Death

A research team in the United States set out to examine if irregular or long menstrual cycles throughout a woman's life course are linked to premature death at an age below 70 years.

The scientists based their data from more over 79,500 pre-menopausal women whose age is 38 years on average without any history of CVD, cancer, or diabetes who participated in the "Nurses' Health Study II."

In relation to this, women presented their menstrual cycles' usual length and regularity at "ages 14 to 17 years, 18-22 years, and 29 to 46 years."

As indicated in the research, during the 24-year follow-up, nearly 2,000 premature deaths were recorded, which included around "894 from cancer and 172 from CVD."

After they considered other possibly influential factors like age, weight, lifestyle, and medical history of the family, the study authors found that those who reported always experiencing irregular menstrual cycles had higher mortality rates compared to those who reported quite regular cycles in the similar age ranges.

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Mortality Rates

This new study found that mortality rates for every 1,000 person-years for women claiming they had very regular cycles and those who reported they always had regular cycles were "1.05 and 1.23 at age 14 to 17 years, 1.00 and 1.37 at ages 18 to 22 years, and 1.00 and 1.68 at ages 29 to 46 years."

Likewise, women who said their usual length was 40 days or longer at ages 18 to 22 years and 29 to 46 years were more likely to die earlier than those who claimed their typical cycle length is 26 to 31 days in the similar ranges.

These associations were strongest for mortalities linked to CVD compared to cancer or death due to other causes.

The researchers said the higher mortality linked to the long and irregular menstrual cycle was slightly stronger as well, among those who currently smoke.

Limitations

This new research is an observational study, and thus, it cannot establish a reason. The study authors point to some limitations like depending on recall of the menstrual cycle's characteristics, which may not have been completely precise. The probability of other unmeasured aspects impacted their outcomes.

Nonetheless, as it is impossible to randomize women to various characteristics of the menstrual cycle, the researchers explained that studies like this signify the most robust evidence plausible for this question.

Strengths, though, included the large number of respondents who had a high follow-up rate through the years-the menstrual cycle data's availability in three different points within the reproductive lifespan. 

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