Research reveals that resumption of menstrual cycles within one year after liver transplantation strongly predicts better long-term liver health in women. Chronic liver disease often halts menstruation, mimicking menopause.
A study of 88 women aged 18-55 found 49% regained periods within a year. Over four years, those without menstrual return had a 36% incidence of graft liver disease (GLD), versus 9% among those who resumed cycles.
After adjusting for age, metabolic factors, and disease type, absent menses correlated with an eightfold higher GLD risk. The finding held in women under 45, where cycle return is biologically expected.
Researchers suggest menstrual status may serve as a non-invasive marker of metabolic and graft health. Persistent amenorrhoea could signal ongoing physiological disruption, guiding more intensive monitoring.
The study was limited to a single center and relied on electronic records, but adds critical insight into sex-specific recovery patterns in transplant recipients.