World Hypertension Day: Understanding if high blood pressure can affect periods

Dr Bandita Sinha, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai further explained the impact of high blood pressure on a person’s menstrual cycle. “When blood pressure is high, it can damage blood vessels in the body, including those in the uterus. This damage can affect blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, leading to irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or even the cessation of periods. Hypertension can also increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia,” said Dr Sinha.

Continuing, Dr Dayal told indianexpress.com that women with pre-menstrual syndrome or PMS had a “40 per cent higher chance of getting hypertensive”. “Some small studies have also shown that an early age of onset of periods is associated with a higher chance of getting hypertension in late adulthood. Another long-term study said that women who often had heavy periods had an increased risk of hypertension,” said Dr Dayal.

Heavy periods do increase the risk of hypertension (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Additionally, women with chronic hypertension had an increased risk of heavy and irregular periods. Besides this, certain underlying conditions in women like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and hormonal imbalance can cause irregular delayed cycles, and can also lead to high blood pressure in later age. “While high blood pressure may not directly affect periods much, anti-hypertensive medication like beta blockers and diuretics can affect female hormones and may cause irregular cycles or change in flow,” cautioned Dr Dayal. Concurred Dr Nitin Gupte, gynecologist, Apollo Spectra Pune, and said that medications for blood pressure can act as blood thinners and can cause heavy bleeding.

What can help?

Experts suggest that it is important for all women to have a healthy lifestyle, avoid smoking, alcohol, high salt or refined food in their diet, limit their lifetime weight gain, exercise regularly and monitor blood pressure. “Women who are on their periods should manage stress, monitor blood pressure as suggested by the doctor, sleep well, and stay hydrated enough by drinking water and other fluids,” said Dr Madhuri Mehendale, gynecologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital.

Cut down on caffeine, alcohol, and sugar, and stay healthy during menses, advised Dr Gupte.

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