The Effect of Glycemic Control on Menstrual cycle in Iraqi Diabetic Women

Abstract

Objective: - The study was designed to evaluate the importance of glycemic control on menstrual cycle disorders in Iraqi diabetic women.Setting: - The study was held at Department of Physiology, Medical College of Al-Mustansiriya University in cooperation with the Iraqi National Diabetes Center (NDC) of Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad from November 2004 till November 2005.Outcomes measures: - The glycemic control was assessed by estimation of glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose while the pelvic ultrasound and hormonal measurements were done for detecting menstrual disorders and state of ovarian function. The Follicular Stimulating Hormone FSH, The Lutenizing Hormone LH, Estrogen and progesterone were measured by using Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay technique (ELFA). Results: -The present study showed that menstrual disorders disorders are more common in diabetic than non-diabetic females. Diabetics with menstrual disorders (i.e. amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea) had anovulatory cycles with normal or low gonadotrophine and low progesterone levels, and it is more common in poorly controlled diabetics than those with good glycemic control. The polycystic ovarian syndrome was found to be associated with insulin resistance, obesity and glucose intolerance and is more common in diabetics than non-diabetic women.Conclusion: - The study revealed that good glycemic control in diabetic women exerts a positive influence on menstrual cycle regulation and on ovarian and gonadotrophic hormones.Keywords: -Menstrual cycle, ovarian function, glycemic control, polycystic ovarian syndrome.