According to new research, women with irregular menstrual cycles are more likely to develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a disease in which fat accumulates in the liver.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism of the Endocrine Society, is the first to find a relationship between long or irregular periods and an elevated risk of NAFLD in young premenopausal women.
Scientists believe oestrogen exposure and hepatic iron buildup may play a role in the link between irregular periods and NAFLD.
Women with irregular periods should consider making lifestyle changes to minimise their risk of NAFLD, according to researchers.
Dr. Kecia Gaither, a double board certified OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine physician and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx, told Healthline that “early implementation of diet and lifestyle changes would be paramount for this subset of women because, to my knowledge, no medication exists to treat the resultant liver damage.”
Irregular periods have been linked to an increased risk of NAFLD.
The researchers looked at 72,092 women under the age of 40. Twenty-eight percent of the women had irregular menstrual periods, and seven percent had been diagnosed with NAFLD previously.
Younger age, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol and triglycerides were all linked to the group with irregular periods.
After four years, the researchers checked in with the subjects and found that 9% of them had developed new instances of NAFLD.
Obesity, insulin, and other confounders, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), do not appear to explain the higher risk of NAFLD, according to the researchers.
Menstrual irregularity can be caused by a variety of reasons, including stress and disordered eating, which might increase the risk of NAFLD.
According to the study, there is presently no proof that changing specific characteristics, such as smoking, obesity, or alcohol consumption, might reduce the risk, but experts believe that women who have irregular periods could benefit from lifestyle modifications.
Is there any connection between menstruation and liver disease?
The mechanisms underlying the association between irregular menstruation and NAFLD are unknown at this time.
Long or irregular periods have been linked to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk in previous studies. Those who have irregular periods may benefit from a change in their lifestyle.
Metabolic and endocrine diseases have also been linked to long or irregular periods.
PCOS, a disorder that produces abnormal hormonal changes, is often, but not always, the cause of irregular cycles.
“However, it is well established that PCOS can protect the liver from injury — in part because insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism are risk factors for liver damage,” Gaither explained.
Hyperandrogenism can contribute to fat buildup, whereas normal androgen levels assist balance fat and lean mass.
According to the research, oestrogen exposure may play a role in the risk.
“While the research is still in its early stages, studies have indicated that oestrogen reduces inflammation and improves a number of metabolic processes linked to NAFLD, such as mitochondrial pathways, oxidative stress, and insulin signalling,” said Yale Medicine hepatologist Dr. Bubu Banini.
According to 2021 researchTrusted Source, oestrogen may decrease the onset of chronic liver illnesses like NAFLD.
NAFLD has been connected to low oestrogen levels and anti-estrogen medicines, and data from 2020 suggests that oestrogen replacement therapy can reduce the risk of NAFLD.
Hepatic iron accumulation, which can develop due to irregular periods, may also influence the risk of NAFLD, according to the paper.
What should you do if your periods are irregular?
Menstrual cycles that are inconsistent are part of an irregular period. It’s possible that your period will be late, or that the time between them could change.
“A good lesson from the study,” Gaither said, “should be that women with irregular periods should see a reproductive endocrinologist and have their liver functions and hormonal levels evaluated.”
Some persons with irregular periods may benefit from lifestyle modifications such as increasing physical exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and decreasing alcohol consumption.
What should you do if your periods are irregular?
Menstrual cycles that are inconsistent are part of an irregular period. It’s possible that your period will be late, or that the time between them could change.
“A good lesson from the study,” Gaither said, “should be that women with irregular periods should see a reproductive endocrinologist and have their liver functions and hormonal levels evaluated.”
Some persons with irregular periods may benefit from lifestyle modifications such as increasing physical exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and decreasing alcohol consumption.