Irregular periods could signal early signs of heart disease, Loma Linda researchers say
A new study from Loma Linda University Health links abnormal menstrual cycles to high insulin levels — a possible red flag for metabolic issues and future cardiovascular problems.
LOMA LINDA, Calif. — If you’ve ever been told your irregular or heavy periods are “just hormonal,” a new study from Loma Linda University Health suggests there could be more going on beneath the surface — including early signs of heart disease.
Researchers at Loma Linda found that abnormal menstrual cycles may be linked to elevated insulin levels, a marker of metabolic dysfunction and a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
The study, led by Dr. Andrea Salcedo, an assistant professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, explores the link between abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and elevated insulin levels. Published in the journal Menopause, the research suggests a need to rethink how gynecological symptoms are assessed in clinical settings.
“I started realizing these menstrual symptoms weren't just hormonal,” Salcedo said. “Many of these women had early signs of inflammation, something we know contributes to heart, kidney, and vascular disease. But the uterus is rarely part of that conversation.”
The study analyzed 205 women between the ages of 18 and 54 and found a strong association between abnormal uterine bleeding — including irregular, heavy, or prolonged periods — and higher levels of insulin. While weight also played a role, researchers say the results highlight how insulin resistance, often tied to stress or high-carb diets, may be impacting menstrual health.
“Every woman knows that when she's under stress, her period might change,” Salcedo said. “But what many don't know is that insulin is a key biological messenger behind that.”
Insulin, the hormone most commonly associated with blood sugar regulation, is rarely measured outside the context of diabetes. However, it can spike in response to stress or a diet high in processed carbohydrates, which in turn may disrupt ovulation and increase inflammation throughout the body — including the uterus.
The study underscores the biological similarities between the uterus and arteries — both made of smooth muscle — and suggests that just as chronic inflammation contributes to heart disease, it may also lead to structural changes in the uterus such as fibroids or heavy bleeding.
Salcedo hopes her findings will encourage clinicians to move beyond the standard hormone panel when evaluating menstrual concerns.
“A lot of women leave the doctor’s office frustrated,” she said. “They’re told their hormones are normal, but they don’t feel normal. This helps explain why.”
She encourages doctors to consider adding fasting insulin screenings, as well as recommending nutrition changes, stress reduction, and strength-based exercise before turning to birth control and surgery.
Although the study doesn’t prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it adds to a growing body of research linking reproductive health with broader health outcomes.
Salcedo’s future research will examine how belly fat relates to fibroid growth and explore how insulin levels during pregnancy might affect birth outcomes.
