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THURSDAY, Aug. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News)<\/p>\n
Women whose periods started at an early age are more likely to have hot flashes<\/a> and night sweats<\/a> during menopause<\/a>, researchers say.<\/p>\n “The risk of the women who menstruated early experiencing both symptoms was greater than having either [hot flashes<\/a>] or night sweats<\/a> alone,” study author Hsin-Fang Chung said in a news release from the University of Queensland in Australia. Chung is with its School of Public Health.<\/p>\n For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 18,000 middle-aged women across the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.<\/p>\n Compared to those who had their first period when they were 14 or older, those who started menstruating when they were 11 or younger were 50% more likely to have frequent hot flashes<\/a> and night sweats<\/a> at menopause<\/a>, the researchers found.<\/p>\n Early menstruation<\/a> previously has been linked to certain health problems later in life, including type 2 diabetes<\/a> and heart disease<\/a>, Chung noted.<\/p>\n The study was conducted as part of an international collaboration known as the Life Course Approach to Reproductive Health<\/a> and Chronic Disease Events (InterLACE).<\/p>\n Obesity<\/a> appeared to be a significant factor in the study findings, according to Gita Mishra, InterLACE project leader.<\/p>\n “Women who experienced early menstruation<\/a> and were overweight<\/a> or obese<\/a> in midlife had a two times greater risk of frequent [hot flashes<\/a>] and night sweats<\/a>, compared with women who experienced their first period aged 14 years or older, and had normal weight,” she said.<\/p>\n “These findings encourage women with early menstruation<\/a> to engage in health promotion programs, especially weight management<\/a> in adulthood,” Mishra concluded.<\/p>\n The study was published July 22 in BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology<\/i>.<\/p>\n — Robert Preidt<\/p>\n ![\"MedicalNews\"](\"https:\/\/images.medicinenet.com\/images\/HealthDay\/healthday.png\")
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