A recent analysis published in Heart journal suggests that common gynecological disorders, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and irregular or heavy periods, may increase the risk of heart disease and cerebrovascular conditions. Although the quality of the studies reviewed varied, the researchers call for greater awareness of these connections to help mitigate the risks.
Long-term, non-cancerous gynecological disorders affect many women and include conditions like PCOS, endometriosis (where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the uterus), adenomyosis (where the womb lining grows into the uterine wall), uterine fibroids, painful menstrual cramps, chronic pelvic pain, and abnormal bleeding. These conditions are known to impact women’s health significantly, and previous research has suggested they could be linked to heart and brain diseases.
To investigate further, the researchers analyzed studies published up to April 2024. From an initial selection of 59 studies, 28 involving over 3 million women were included in the pooled data analysis. The analysis specifically focused on endometriosis, PCOS, heavy periods, and irregular menstrual cycles.
The results revealed that women with at least one of these gynecological disorders had a 28% higher risk of developing heart disease or cerebrovascular conditions compared to those without. Specifically, their risk of ischemic heart disease was 41% higher, while their risk of cerebrovascular disease was 33% higher.
Further breakdown of the data showed that women with a history of endometriosis or PCOS had an even higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the researchers noted that the studies varied in design and quality, with over half showing a high risk of bias due to the lack of consideration for other factors that could influence the results.
The researchers also pointed out that some aspects of cardiovascular disease, such as abnormal heart rhythms, were not included in the analysis. Despite these limitations, they proposed that biological factors, like systemic inflammation and estrogen production, might explain the link between these gynecological conditions and heart and brain disease. Additionally, risk factors such as metabolic syndrome are often seen in women with PCOS, which could contribute to the increased risk.
While the findings are not conclusive and causality has not been proven, the researchers urge healthcare professionals and the public to be aware of these potential links. They suggest that increased awareness could help healthcare providers guide patients toward behaviors or interventions that may reduce the risk of heart and brain diseases in the future.
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