To analyze the impact of bariatric surgery on menstrual cycle regularity, the incidence of specific menstrual abnormalities, hyperandrogenism manifestations, and contraception use.
Key Findings:
38.6% of patients reported irregular menstruations before surgery, reduced to 25.0% after surgery (p < .001; RR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.53–0.79).
No significant change in the mean number of menstruations per year (10.2 vs 10.4; p < .36).
No significant differences in prolonged menstruations, acne, or hirsutism prevalence before and after surgery.
Estrogen-based contraception use remained stable before and after surgery (14.4% vs 15%; p < .95).
Interpretation:
Bariatric surgery significantly improves menstrual regularity in obese women, with a notable reduction in irregular menstruations, but does not affect the overall number of menstrual cycles or prolonged bleeding, suggesting important counseling points for patients.
Limitations:
Study focused on a specific population and may not generalize to all obese women, potentially limiting the applicability of findings.
Relatively high proportion of patients with prolonged menstruation was not significantly addressed, which may affect the overall conclusions.
Conclusion:
Bariatric surgery positively impacts menstrual regularity in women, suggesting a beneficial counseling point for patients considering the procedure, particularly in relation to reproductive health.
