Irregular Periods May Signal Osteoporosis

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Irregular Periods May Signal Osteoporosis

Copyright © 2001, United Press International

(May 30, 2002) -- Irregular menstrual periods in young women may be a

warning sign of a hormonal shortage that could lead to osteoporosis, a

preliminary study suggests.

The study, by researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and

Human Development, covered a condition known as premature ovarian failure or

POF, which afflicts an estimated one percent of American women by age 40.

POF occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs and reproductive hormones

well in advance of natural menopause. Most of the women who took part in the

study reported a history of amenorrhea -- absence of a menstrual period --

for three months or more before they were later diagnosed with POF.

Also, the majority of the young women had not considered amenorrhea a

significant health problem.

" The delay in evaluating and treating ovarian insufficiency may place young

women at increased risk of developing osteoporosis in later years, "

researchers said.