[Menstrual pattern and metabolic control in women with diabetes mellitus aged 18-40 years]

A questionnaire was sent to all insulin-treated diabetic women between the ages of 18-40 who were registered with a diabetic clinic. In this manner the patients were interviewed about menstrual pattern exercise habits and contraception. A total of 86% (105 of 122) participated. 51 women ages 18-40 and with various hospital appointments were employed as the control group. None of the women had primary amenorrhea. 3 of the diabetic women had secondary amenorrhea related to conditions which can also produce secondary amenorrhea in nondiabetic (anorexia nervosa competitive gymnastics loss of weight and psychological problems in connection with recent diagnosis of diabetes). Among women who did not use hormonal contraception 16% of the diabetics and 4.7% of the control individuals had irregular menstruation (p 0.05). Diabetic women with regular and irregular menstruation did not differ from one another with regard to age age at menarche gynecological age duration of diabetes choice of contraception or exercise regimen. The hemoglobin Aic level was significantly higher among the women with irregular menstruation (average SD: 11.2% +or- 2.4% as compared with 9.9% +or- 1.3% p 0.01). Poor metabolic control was related to the increased frequency of irregular menstrual patterns in women with diabetes mellitus. (authors)