Can Your Menstrual Cycle Affect Your Heart Health?
When we talk about the menstrual cycle, what comes to mind? Mood swings? Cramps? Headaches? And all of that pile of discomfort that accompanies them all? Well, that is undoubtedly one of those things certainly not looked forward to when the menstrual cycle is concerned. However, we do not know that a relationship exists between your menstrual cycle and your heart health. While this is certainly not one of those things we find in the brochures and health magazines, it is equally important.
What happens to your heart during your menstrual cycle? How does it affect your overall health? What can be done about it, if at all anything should? If you cannot answer any of these questions, then it is high time you start to be more observant. It is time to understand just what effect your menstrual cycle has on your heart.
Speculations are that the risk of heart disease in pre-menopause women was considerably higher than men and in other women who no longer have menstrual cycles. It was then deduced that there is a large possibility the menstrual cycle has a role to play in the increased risk of heart diseases in females.
Can The Menstrual Cycle Affect Heart Health?
There have been speculations that the menstrual cycle influences the risk of heart diseases in women. According to a study, it was found that “women with regular menstrual cycles have a lower risk of developing heart diseases compared to those with irregular menstrual cycles.”
The study focused on the female’s hormones related to the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and birth control in the female body. These hormones were a foundational influence when considering the effects of heart diseases on women and their relation to their menstrual cycle.
According to New York’s Reuters Health, a study was conducted for a decade, with about 23,000 Dutch women involved. It was discovered that 28% of those with irregular periods were most likely to develop heart disease than those who reported regular periods. The long period of the menstrual cycle was observed not to affect heart health. “Whether an extended period or a short period, provided it was regular, it had no increased heart disease risk.” This fact was also deduced from the study involving thousands of Dutch women.
What Hormones Affect The Menstrual Cycle, And How?
The study further revealed that the menstrual cycle’s two main hormones affect the human body’s cholesterol level. With estradiol and progesterone production during this period, coupled with the activities occurring in the follicle, it was seen that cholesterol levels in the body’s bloodstream could be affected.
It is already a fact that the cholesterol levels in the blood have a substantial effect in developing heart disease. Increased cholesterol in the blood during the menstrual cycle could negatively shift the cholesterol levels, leading to an increased risk factor of generating heart disease. Alarming levels of cholesterol could even skip the risk stage and jump right to heart disease.
Does An Irregular Period Mean You Will Develop a Heart Disease?
As much as studies and research has shown a relationship between irregular periods and increased heart disease, there is no fact that people with irregular periods are at a 100% chance to develop heart disease. It was noticed that 400 women who recorded an irregular menstrual cycle during the study. One hundred fifty of them developed heart disease in the next decade, and in 17,000, just a little over 500 had heart disease.
Facts About The Connection Between Menstrual Cycles And Heart Disease
- Pre-menopause women stand at higher risk of developing heart disease compared to post-menopause women and men.
- Women with regular menstrual cycles have a decreased risk of developing heart disease than women with irregular menstrual cycles.
- Hormones produced during the period of menstrual cycles affect the body’s blood cholesterol level.
- Cholesterol levels are a significant cause of the increased risk of heart diseases.
- In every 1000 women with irregular menstrual cycles, 37-38 of them stand at a higher risk of developing heart disease in 10 years. More than this number is expected o develop heart disease after ten years.
Polycystic Syndrome, Menstrual Cycle, And Heart Diseases
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disorder where there is an increased production of male hormones, most times, above the normal range. When this happens, an irregularity in menstrual cycles occurs. Sometimes, the menstrual cycle is absent. This irregularity or complete absentia leads to an increased risk of developing heart diseases compared to other women in their age group.
POCS is also said to be a result of hormonal imbalance. The hormone, which happens to be estrogen, is known to have a protective effect on the arteries and the heart. PCOS is associated with type 2 diabetes as well, which is a well-known heart disease risk factor.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Preventing The Increased Risk Of Heart Disease
While there have been facts and figures about the connection, many studies are ongoing globally to understand all there is to know about the relationship between irregular periods and heart diseases. Could there be something more to it? Is there a remedy?
While these questions stand, it is essential to limit this increased risk of developing heart disease.
Causes Of The Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are known to affect hormone levels in the body. Moreso since they contain a combination of estrogen and progestin. When taken without a prescription or too frequently, they affect menstrual cycles. This imbalance could cause missed periods, sometimes up to 6 months.
PID
Also known as a pelvic inflammatory disease, it is a significant cause of irregular periods. It is an infection contacted mostly during sexual intercourse.
POCS
As previously discussed, POCS is a condition where large amounts of male hormones are produced in the female body leading to an imbalance in body hormones and irregular periods. It could also lead to missed or permanently halted periods, depending on how critical it is.
Ovarian Insufficiency (Premature)
This condition occurs when there is a malfunction with the ovaries leading to an early halt in the menstrual cycle… permanently. It could be as a result of certain medical activities and operations or misuse of drugs.
Lifestyle and Habits
Sudden changes in lifestyle and increased stress could lead to abnormal/irregular menstrual cycles.
Other causes include cancer, steroids, and drug abuse.
Ways To Treat Irregular Menstrual Cycles
- Maintain a healthy diet. Include spices and lots of vitamins
- Exercise frequently
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Visit the doctor in more chronic cases.
CONCLUSION
Even though everything about the relationship between menstrual cycles and heart disease is yet to be fully established, the already confirmed facts point in the direction of an irregular menstrual cycle when it comes to an increased heart disease risk.
It is essential to understand just what is wrong and how you can solve it! If you would like to know more about your menstrual cycle and just where you stand on the risk factor scale, get in touch or book an appointment today! Your health matters.
