Gynecological conditions may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke

Having one or more common gynecological disorders, such as endometriosis or severe or irregular periods, may be linked to an increased risk online in the magazine Heart.

Although the quality of the studies included in the analysis was variable, the researchers conclude that clinicians and public should be more aware of these associations to alleviate the dangers.

Long -term non -cancerous gynecological disorders are common and include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis (where the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus develops outside the uterus), the adenomy (where the uterine lining grows in the meter. painful menstrual cramps), chronic pelvic pain, irregular and/or very severe periods and abnormal uterine bleeding, the researchers explain.

These disorders significantly affect women’s health and well -being. And previous published research shows that they may be related to cardiovascular or cerebrospinal disease, they add.

To further explore this, the researchers dug the research databases looking for studies published until April 2024. From the initial recovery data analysis.

Only endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, severe periods and irregular menstrual cycle presented in the studies included in the analysis.

Overall, centralized analysis of the study results showed that compared to people without one of these conditions, those who had at least one had significant (28%) higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrospinal disease.

Specifically, the risk of ischemic heart disease was 41% higher, while the risk of cerebrospinal disease was 33% higher.

Further analysis showed that the overall risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and each of its ingredients was higher between those with a history of endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome.

Researchers warn that the design and methodology of the studies included vary significantly and above half (53.5%) of the studies scored that they had a very high risk of prejudice, mainly due to the lack of sufficient examination of potentially important factors.

And several aspects of cardiovascular disease were not covered by studies included, such as atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rate).

However, researchers suggest that there may be reasonable biological pathways that connect cardiovascular and cerebrospinal disease and common gynecological disorders, including systemic inflammation and estrogen production.

There may also be overlapping between gynecological risk factors and cardiovascular risk factors, suggest that they are noted that metabolic syndrome is often present in people with polycystic ovary syndrome, for example.

“The relationship between [cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease] and [common gynecological disorders] It requires further investigation with high quality timeless studies tailored to confusing factors to establish time and causality, “they emphasize.

However, they conclude: “Although the extent of this correlation must still be investigated and the causality has not been determined, the findings suggest that it is important to raise awareness of the possible union … both to the general public and the professionals in the field. of health.

“Awareness of this Union will allow health professionals to advise patients on behavioral changes and risk -reducing interventions, prevent or delay appearance or reduce its severity [cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease]. ”