Relationship of body composition measures and menstrual cycle length

Abstract

Menstrual cycle disruption has been observed in women with low body weight due to anorexia nervosa, or to athletics. However, the association of the full range of body composition measures with cyclicity has not been determined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the strength and direction of association between body composition measures (Quetelet Index, body fat mass, and body lean mass) and menstrual cycle length. Menstrual cycle diaries were distributed to women aged 24-45 in the Michigan Bone Health Study beginning in 1992. A total of 4392 menstrual cycles from 436 women were analysed from the first year of this ongoing study. Body composition measures (Quetelet Index or body mass index (kg/m2), body fat mass and body lean mass (kg) were obtained at annual clinic visits by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Mixed-model analyses were used to determine the degree of association between menstrual cycle length and body composition measures, controlling for age. There was a significant positive association with cycle length for each body composition measure. The relationship between each body composition measure and cycle length was nonlinear with the longest mean cycle lengths occurring with greater BMI, body fat mass or body lean mass. Longer cycle length was also noted at the lowest levels of BMI and body fat mass. These results may account for the purported later age at menopause for obese women.

Rotating Shift Work and Menstrual Cycle Characteristics

“…In previous studies, extremes of weight have been associated with the risk of long, irregular, 8,[32][33][34] and anovulatory cycles 6,34 typical of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Moderate overweight has been associated with ovulatory disorder infertility in the NHS-II cohort 17,35 and others.…”

The Influence of Stress on the Menstrual Cycle among Newly Incarcerated Women

“…D. Harlow, Campbell, Lin, & Raz, 1997;S. D. Harlow & Campbell, 1994;Matteo, 1987;Rowland et al, 2002;Symons, Sowers, & Harlow, 1997) Although the literature on stress and reproductive function has principally focused on ovarian aging and menopause, a number of earlier studies looked at the relationship between stress and menstrual cycle characteristics. For example, Matteo (Matteo, 1987) and Harlow and Matanoski (S. D. Harlow & Matanoski, 1991) each found that self-reported measures of stress correlated with longer menstrual cycles.…”

Athletic Activity and Hormone Concentrations in High School Female Athletes

“…Symons et al 26 determined the degree of association between body-composition measures (Quetelet Index, lean body mass, and fat body mass) and menstrual cycle length by analyzing diaries from 436 women (aged 24-45 years) encompassing 4392 menstrual cycles. Mean cycle length, variability of cycle length, and mean bleeding length were calculated from those diaries.…”

“…Both body mass and body composition are associated with menstrual function; the probability of dysfunction is greater among women with either a low or high body mass index (BMI). 9,[25][26][27] Among reproductiveaged women, those with the longest mean cycle lengths had greater BMI, lean body mass, and fat body mass, but women in the lowest decile of BMI and fat body mass also had long mean cycle lengths. 26 Studies 3,9,26,28 of athletes and the general population have consistently shown that individuals with highly variable cycles or amenorrhea tend to weigh less, to have a lower percentage of body fat, and to report more weight loss than women with normal menstrual cycles do.…”

“…9,[25][26][27] Among reproductiveaged women, those with the longest mean cycle lengths had greater BMI, lean body mass, and fat body mass, but women in the lowest decile of BMI and fat body mass also had long mean cycle lengths. 26 Studies 3,9,26,28 of athletes and the general population have consistently shown that individuals with highly variable cycles or amenorrhea tend to weigh less, to have a lower percentage of body fat, and to report more weight loss than women with normal menstrual cycles do. Weight loss that is greater than 20% to 30% of ideal weight or more than 10% of premorbid body mass is associated with amenorrhea; menstruation is likely to resume after a body-mass gain of about 4 kg or to within 5% to 15% of ideal weight.…”