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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine >

2022 , Vol. 42 >Issue 2: 272 - 278

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2022.02.010

Research Articles

Menstrual cycle characteristics as an indicator of fertility outcomes: evidence from prospective birth cohort study in China

  • Xiping LIU ,
  • Xiaqiu WU ,
  • Lirong BAO ,
  • Jin PENG ,
  • Hui Ka-Kit
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  • 1 School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
    2 Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
    3 Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
    4 Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles 90024, USA
Prof. Wu Xia-Qiu, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China. wuxiaqiu2001@hotmail.com; Prof. PENG Jin, Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China. Pengjin2000@126.com, Telephone: +86-13656693050; +86-13521403824

Received date: 2021-07-23

  Accepted date: 2021-10-16

  Online published: 2021-12-14

Supported by

Scientific research of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Health (Wireless Sensor Model of Menstrual Cycle Health Monitoring)(2016ZA049);Young Scientists of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Health (Effects of Tiaojing Decoction on Expression of TGF-β3/Smads Pathway in Premature Ovarian Failure Model Rats)(2020ZQ021);National Science Foundation for Fostering Talents in Basic Research of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Establishment and Evaluation of Female Pre Pregnancy Health Risk Identification and Evaluation Model)(81202737)

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evidently assess the applicability of regulate menstrual cycle (MC) characteristics in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an indicator for fertility.

METHODS: A community-based prospective cohort study was conducted in China. Between January 2010 and December 2012, women who were willing to conceive within 2 years were enrolled in the study. Other than the MC length pattern, a well-adopted MC characteristic, menstrual blood color and clots were specifically concerned for women enrolled. All participants were followed up in 2 years by trained nurses. Pregnancy rate, fecundability odds ratio (FOR) and risk of miscarriage were assessed as fertility outcomes.

RESULTS: A total of 2109 women were effectively included in this cohort for analysis. Results show that women with irregular MC length were less likely to achieve conception (FORirregular = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.45-0.77, P < 0.001). Menstrual blood in bright red color was also associated with decline in likelihood of conception (FOR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.63-0.98, P = 0.04). Women with menstrual blood in light red were at higher risk of miscarriage (OR = 2.39; 95% CI = 0.91-6.28, P = 0.08). No significant impact was found between menstrual blood clots and fertility outcomes (FOR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.83-1.25, P = 0.88; OR = 1.26 95% CI = 0.77-2.07, P = 0.35).

CONCLUSIONS: MC characteristics can be an effective and simple indicator for women’s fertility. Increasing the knowledge of MC characteristics for women in reproductive ages would bring great benefits to their preconception health conditions.

Key words： menstrual cycle; fertility; odds ratio; abortion, spontaneous; medicine, Chinese traditional; preconception care

Cite this article

Xiping LIU , Xiaqiu WU , Lirong BAO , Jin PENG , Hui Ka-Kit . Menstrual cycle characteristics as an indicator of fertility outcomes: evidence from prospective birth cohort study in China[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2022 , 42(2) : 272 -278 . DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2022.02.010

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