Adolescent menstrual characteristics as predictors of gynaecological health.

Ina sample of 54 women who have participated in a longitudinal study since birth there is a significant relationship between adolescent menstrual characteristics and gynaecological health as measured by GYNDEX (Gardner 1982) in the second and third decades postmenarche. The menstrual characteristics were recorded in health histories taken in the 1940s as part of a yearly evaluation of growth, development and health status. Using stepwise multiple regression analysis, the measures of regularity and dysmenorrhoea in adolescence explain 46% of the variation in GYNDEX from 11 to 20 years postmenarche (P less than 0.001). These variables are still significant predictors 21 to 30 years postmenarche, explaining 26% of the variance (P less than 0.005). The risk of having poor gynaecological health (high GYNDEX) is greatly increased for women experiencing both dysmenorrhoea and irregularity in the first few years postmenarche.