Early menstrual characteristics associated with subsequent diagnosis of endometriosis

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between early menstrual characteristics, before symptom onset, and later diagnosis of endometriosis. Study Design This was a case-control study of 268 Australian women with surgically confirmed moderate-to-severe endometriosis (cases...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2010-06, Vol.202 (6), p.534.e1-534.e6
Main Authors: Treloar, Susan A., PhD, Bell, Tanya A., PhD, Nagle, Christina M., PhD, Purdie, David M., PhD, Green, Adèle C., MBBS, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Age of Onset
Australia
Biological and medical sciences
Case-Control Studies
Child
dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea - complications
Dysmenorrhea - diagnosis
early menstrual characteristics
endometriosis
Endometriosis - complications
Endometriosis - diagnosis
etiology
Female
Female genital diseases
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Health Surveys
Humans
Medical sciences
Menarche - physiology
Menstrual Cycle - physiology
menstruation
Middle Aged
Non tumoral diseases
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Odds Ratio
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between early menstrual characteristics, before symptom onset, and later diagnosis of endometriosis. Study Design This was a case-control study of 268 Australian women with surgically confirmed moderate-to-severe endometriosis (cases) and 244 women without endometriosis (controls). Early menstrual cycle characteristics, before age at symptom onset, were analyzed. Results Menarche after age 14 years was strongly and inversely associated with endometriosis (odds ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1–0.6). A history of dysmenorrhea was associated with subsequent endometriosis (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–6.2). Despite a suggestive trend, shorter menstrual cycle length was not associated with endometriosis. Duration of natural menstruation and heaviness of flow were not associated with subsequent risk of endometriosis; neither was the reported type of sanitary protection used nor history of sexual intercourse during menstruation. Conclusion There is a decreased risk of endometriosis with late age at menarche and an increased risk in women who report an early history of dysmenorrhea.
ISSN:0002-9378
1097-6868
DOI:10.1016/j.ajog.2009.10.857