These 4 reproductive issues have just been linked to heart disease one affects 25% of women

It’s not just a pain in the uterus — reproductive health problems could also break your heart.A recent study suggests that women dealing with common gynecological issues, like heavy or irregular periods, could be at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and conditions that affect blood flow to the brain, like stroke.“We are becoming increasingly aware of how impactful gynecological conditions are on quality of life as they are actively happening, like endometriosis’ impact on pain and fertility,” said Mathew Leonardi, senior author and assistant professor at McMaster University.

“Now, we are getting closer to understanding that having these gynecological conditions might also indicate a higher risk for developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease later in life.”To get to the heart of the issue, researchers reviewed 28 studies covering 3.2 million women.Their analysis found that those with at least one gynecological issue faced a 28% higher risk of heart disease or stroke.More specifically, the risk of ischemic heart disease — a condition where the heart is deprived of oxygen due to reduced blood supply — was 41% higher.

The risk of cerebrovascular disease was 33% higher.Researchers noted that the increased risk was especially pronounced in women with endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).“Another interesting finding was that, in some studies, this increased risk seemed to manifest relatively early in life, suggesting that early intervention or monitoring might make a difference over the long term,” Leonardi told Euronews Health.“This should further raise the awareness and the relevance of gynecological conditions in society and in our health-care system.” Menstruation typically comes with mild discomfort, irritability, abdominal cramps and fatigue.

But for women with additional gynecological problems, that time of the month can be particularly challenging.Heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the most common issues ...