Women with certain gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis, heavy periods, or irregular menstrual cycles, may have a higher risk of developing heart disease and problems with blood flow to the brain, according to a new study published in the journal Heart.
Researchers reviewed and analyzed existing studies to find a possible link between long-term gynecological disorders and cardiovascular diseases. While the quality of the studies varied, the researchers believe that both doctors and the public should be more aware of this potential connection to help reduce health risks.
Many women experience non-cancerous gynecological conditions throughout their lives. These include:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal disorder that can cause irregular periods and cysts on the ovaries.
- Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the womb, causing pain and other complications.
- Adenomyosis: When the womb lining grows into the muscle of the uterus.
- Uterine fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus.
- Primary dysmenorrhea: Severe menstrual cramps.
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
These conditions can seriously affect women’s quality of life. Previous studies have suggested that they might also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, but researchers wanted to examine this further.
To do this, they reviewed studies published up until April 2024. Out of 59 studies, 28 were selected for analysis, covering a total of 3.27 million women. However, only four conditions—endometriosis, PCOS, heavy periods, and irregular menstrual cycles—were included in the final analysis because they had enough research data available.
The results showed that women with at least one of these conditions had a 28% higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease compared to those without them. More specifically:
- The risk of ischemic heart disease (caused by narrowed arteries) was 41% higher.
- The risk of cerebrovascular disease (affecting blood flow to the brain, which can lead to strokes) was 33% higher.
Further breakdown of the data showed that women with endometriosis or PCOS had an even greater risk of developing these diseases.
Despite these findings, the researchers warned that the studies they analyzed had significant limitations. The way the studies were designed varied, and over half of them had a high risk of bias. Some important factors, such as lifestyle habits and other health conditions, were not properly considered.
Additionally, certain heart conditions, like atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm), were not covered in the studies.
Still, the researchers believe there are reasonable explanations for the link between gynecological disorders and cardiovascular disease. One possible connection is chronic inflammation, which is common in conditions like endometriosis and may contribute to heart and blood vessel problems. Hormones, especially estrogen, could also play a role.
Another possible reason is that these disorders share risk factors with heart disease. For example, metabolic syndrome, a condition that increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes, is often found in women with PCOS.
Because the existing research has limitations, the study authors emphasize that more high-quality, long-term studies are needed to confirm the connection and better understand how these diseases influence each other.
However, even without definitive proof, the researchers stress that raising awareness is important. They encourage doctors to inform patients about these potential risks so they can take steps to improve their heart health. Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and managing weight and blood pressure, could help lower the risk of developing heart or brain-related diseases in the future.
While more research is needed to prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, this study highlights the need for women and healthcare providers to take these risks seriously and work towards early prevention.
The research findings can be found in Heart.
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