Live births, cesarean sections and the development of menstrual abnormalities.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between number of livebirths and cesarean sections on the development of menstrual abnormalities. METHODS: The effect of number of livebirths and cesarean sections on menstrual abnormalities in the late reproductive period was evaluated using data from the Harvard Study of Moods and Cycles. RESULTS: There were 298 women with no livebirths and 606 women with livebirths of which 184 had a history of cesarean section. Among all women, increasing number of livebirths was associated with an increasing trend in reported heavy menses, prolonged flow >6 days, and a decreasing trend in reported dysmenorrhea. This effect was amplified among women with a history of cesarean section. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing number of livebirths is associated with heavy and prolonged menstrual flow during the late reproductive period. This association is particularly stronger in women with a history of cesarean section.