Does early menstruation increase risk of GDM?

by Julia Hall | Mar 25, 2017 | Clinical

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers linked an early start to menstruation with a greater risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) later in life.

After collecting data from 4,749 women, researchers determined that women who had begun menstruating before age 11 were 51% more likely to have gestational diabetes than those who started menstruation at 13 years.

A summary shared by Contemporary OB/GYN  by Judith M. Orvos and Miranda Hester  stated:

The investigators believe their findings illustrate that young age at the start of menarche may be a way of identifying women who are higher risk of developing GDM. They say that further studies are needed to confirm these initial results and to illuminate the role of early start of menarche and later risk of GDM.

Does your experience line up with the research? Wondering what you can do to decrease your risk of developing gestational diabetes? Ask your midwife at your next appointment.