Epidemiologic correlates with menstrual cycle length in middle aged women

Eur J Epidemiol. 1999 Oct;15(9):809-14. doi: 10.1023/a:1007669430686.

Abstract

While irregular menstruations have been associated with lower cumulative exposure to the ovarian steroids, shorter regular cycles have been postulated to increase the cumulative exposure. Epidemiological correlates with menstrual patterns were analyzed among 4900 premenopausal women aged 45 or younger from the New York University Women's Health Study. The length of regular menstrual cycles increased with increasing age at menarche, body mass index and parity, but decreased with age, nonwhite racial background and current smoking. The likelihood of irregular cycles increased with increasing age, body mass index and number of cigarettes smoked per day. With adjustment for age, body mass index and number of cigarettes smoked per day, the risk of irregular cycles was marginally positively associated with total fat intake.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dietary Fats / adverse effects
  • Epidemiologic Factors*
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology*
  • Menstruation Disturbances / etiology
  • Middle Aged
  • New York
  • Obesity / complications
  • Parity
  • Premenopause / physiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones