Irregular monthly cycle almost always suggests a he alth problem. Whenever you notice any deviation or change in its frequency, it is good to consult a specialist, as this poses a serious risk to your he alth. Recently, the results of a study done in this direction were announced.
According to the specialists who conducted the tests, irregular monthly cycles carry a risk of developing ovarian cancer. For scientists, this is an important discovery as it can save the lives of many women.
To conduct the study, scientists used information on about 14,000 women whose he alth status was monitored for nearly 50 years and who were part of the Kaiser Permanente He alth Plan in Alameda between 1959 and 1967.
The results showed that those who had an irregular monthly cycle were at twice the risk of developing ovarian cancer later in life, in compared to other women, and some have even died from this type of cancer.
Irregular monthly cycle is considered to be one that did not occur within 35 days or there was no ovulation.
During the study, 103 women developed ovarian cancer, 20 of whom had irregular menstrual cycles, and 65 died of ovarian cancer, of whom 17 had irregular menstrual cycles.
Other factors that could increase the risk of developing the disease, such as age, weight, drug use, birth control pills, were also taken into account.
The studies ruled out infertility as a factor as all the women in the study had already had one successful pregnancy.
Scientists are still not entirely clear how irregular monthly cycles increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer, but hormones are believed to play a leading role.
these women are very likely to be exposed to lower levels of the hormone progesterone, which is released during ovulation and is thought to act as a defense against the deadly disease.
Irregular monthly cycles can also be a prerequisite for the development of other severe forms of genital cancer such as uterine cancer,the scientists add.
Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose. The only way to detect it in time is through regular gynecological examinations.
Study data published on he althday.com.
