Private MD News

Fertility issues may be linked to heart disease

Category: Infertitlity Hormone Testing

Women who have received abnormal FSH test results indicating fertility issues may benefit from talking to their doctor about their heart health, as a new study has shown that women who experience trouble conceiving may be more likely to develop heart disease later in life.

The researchers said that there may be a causal link between issues that cause fertility problems earlier in life, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity and thyroid disorders, and the eventual development of heart disease. Further understanding this connection could help prevent many unnecessary cardiovascular deaths.

For the study, an international team of researchers examined the medical records of nearly 900,000 women who had enrolled in a previous investigation. The results showed that those who had tried unsuccessfully for five years or more to become pregnant, but were eventually successful, were 19 percent more likely to develop heart disease.

The researchers concluded that women who receive abnormal FSH testing early on in adulthood should be monitored for future cardiovascular complications. While some common causes are known, further studies of the association between infertility and heart health could be important.