Obesity may increase risk of some female reproductive disorders

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing female reproductive disorders. A study in PLOS Medicine suggests an etiological link between obesity and a range of female reproductive disorders.

Researchers conducted a study investigating the causal associations between obesity, metabolic hormones, and female reproductive disorders. They found observational associations between obesity and a range of female reproductive disorders, including uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, and pre-eclampsia. They also found that some inherited genetic variation associated with obesity is related to female reproductive disorders. Still, the strength of those associations differed by type of obesity and reproductive condition.

The results suggest exploring the mechanisms mediating the causal associations of overweight and obesity on gynaecological health to identify disease prevention and treatment targets.