Menstrual pattern and metabolic control in women 18 to 40-years old with diabetes mellitus
Matzen, L.E.; Larsen, M.L.; Dinsen, K.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 149(21): 1383-1386
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 3603792 Document Number: 304155
A questionnaire was sent to all insulin-treated diabetic women aged 18-40 years registered with a diabetic clinic. In this manner, the patients were interviewed about the menstural pattern, exercise habits and contraception. A total of 86% (105/122) participated. Fifty-one women aged between 18 and 40 years and who had various hospital appointments were employed as a control group. None of the women had primary amenorrhoea. Three of the diabetic women had secondary amenorrhoea related to conditions which can also produce secondary amenorrhoea in non-diabetic (anorexia nervosa, competitive gymnastics, loss of weight and psychological problems in connection with the recent diagnosis of diabetes). Among women who did not employ hormonal contraception, 16% of the diabetics and 4.7% of the control individuals had irregular menstruation (p < 0.05). Diabetic women with regular and irregular menstruation did not differ from one another as regards age, age at the menarche, gynaecological age, duration of diabetes, choice of contraception or exercise habits. The haemoglobin Alc level was significantly higher among the women with irregular menstruation (average, SD: 11.2% .+-. 2.4% as compared with 9.9%, .+-. 1.3%, p < 0.01). Poor metabolic control was related to the increased frequency of irregular menstrual patterns in women with diabetes mellitus.