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Cited by 239Menstrual Health and DisordersHypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesOvarian function and disorders

Influence of Medical Conditions and Lifestyle Factors on the Menstrual Cycle

Rowland, Andrew S., Baird, Donna Day, Long, Stuart, Wegienka, Ganesa, Harlow, Siobán D., Alavanja, Michael, Sandler, Dale P.·2002·Epidemiology
DOI 10.1097/00001648-200211000-00011
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Few studies have described medical and lifestyle factors associated with various menstrual cycle characteristics. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data collected from 3941 premenopausal women from Iowa or North Carolina participating in the Agricultural Health Study between 1994 and 1996. Eligible women were age 21-40, not taking oral contraceptives, and not currently pregnant or breast feeding. We examined four menstrual cycle patterns: short cycles (24 days or less), long cycles (36 days or more), irregular cycles, and intermenstrual bleeding. RESULTS: Long and irregular cycles were less common with advancing age and more common with menarche after age 14, with depression, and with increasing body mass index. The adjusted odds of long cycles increased with increasing body mass index, reaching 5.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-13.7) among women with body mass indexes of 35 or higher compared with the reference category (body mass index of 22-23). Smoking was associated with short cycles. Long cycles, irregular cycles, and intermenstrual bleeding were associated with a history of infertility. Having long cycles was associated with a doubling in the adjusted odds of having a fetal loss among women who had been pregnant within the last 5 years (odds ratio = 2.3; 95% CI = 0.9-5.7). CONCLUSIONS: Menstrual patterns are influenced by a number of host and environmental characteristics. Factors that perturb menstruation may increase a woman's risk of other reproductive disorders.

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Crossref · 10.1097/00001648-200211000-00011

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  • The increase in per-woman cycle length variation in women with BMI 35-50 is expected because pre-existing medical condition (PCOS) is associated with obesity and causes erratic menstrual cycles.

    “This effect is expected because pre-existing medical condition (PCOS) is associated with obesity and causes erratic menstrual cycles.10”

    From Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles (2019) · cites this paper as [10]

  • Cycle characteristics may be affected by ethnicity, high body mass index, stress and lifestyle factors.

    “Cycle characteristics also may be affected by ethnicity, high body mass index (BMI), stress and lifestyle factors.8,10–12”

    From Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles (2019) · cites this paper as [10]

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Authors
Rowland, A. S., Baird, D. D., Long, S., Wegienka, G., Harlow, S. D., Alavanja, M., & Sandler, D. P.
Affiliations
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • Westat (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
Rowland, Andrew S.
ORCID
Venue
Epidemiology
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2002-11
Volume
13
Issue
6
Pages
668-674
ISSN
1044-3983 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/00001648-200211000-00011
OpenAlex
W2027896366
Cited by
239
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 8
FWCI
4.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Menstrual Health and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
Keywords
menstrual cycle, menstrual cycle length, menstrual irregularity, metrorrhagia, body mass index, smoking, depression, age at menarche, infertility, fetal death, premenopausal women, lifestyle factors, health conditions
MeSH terms
Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Iowa, Life Style, Menstrual Cycle, Menstruation, Menstruation Disturbances, North Carolina, Obesity, Smoking, Thyroid Diseases

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