Ramifications of adolescent menstrual cycles ≥42 days in young adults

To determine to what degree annual reports from ages 14 to 19 years of menstrual cycles ≥42 days would be associated with increased body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at ages 14-25 years.

Prospective 11-year follow-up from ages 14 to 25 years.

Urban-suburban schools, post-high school.

A total of 370 schoolgirls.

None.

BMI, waist, insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR.

From ages 14 to 19 years, 269 girls had 0/6 annual reports of menstrual cycles ≥42 days, 74 had 1, 19 had 2, and 8 had ≥3. Among these four categories, girls with ≥3 annual reports had highest free T and DHEAS at age 14, highest BMI and waist at ages 14, 19, and 25, highest insulin at age 25, and highest glucose and HOMA-IR at age 24 years. The number of annual reports of menstrual cycles ≥42 days was positively related to change in BMI and waist and inversely with change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol from ages 14 to 25 years.

Three or more annual reports of menstrual cycles ≥42 days during ages 14-19 are associated with high BMI, waist circumference, insulin, glucose, and HOMA-IR at ages 14-25 years.