Association between liposuction and menstrual cycle changes: a retrospective study

Abstract

Aim: Menstrual irregularities are frequently reported by women following liposuction (L group), yet few studies have explored this phenomenon. This study aimed to investigate potential changes in the menses among women who underwent L group.

Methods: A total of 516 patients were included in this retrospective study: 369 underwent L group, and 147 underwent other types of plastic surgery (O group). A paired t-test was used to compare preoperative and postoperative menstrual cycles/periods within each group. A hypothesis test was used to compare the incidence of menstrual changes between the two groups. Logistic regression and contingency tests were used to identify potential explanatory variables within each group.

Results: In the L group, a statistically significant difference was observed in menstrual cycle length before and after surgery (P = 0.02; 30.01 ± 2.54 days vs. 30.11 ± 3.04 days). The incidence of menstrual cycle changes was significantly higher in the L group compared to the O group (P = 0.0002; 1.6% vs. 0.46%). Among variables such as aspirated fat volume, body weight, and anesthesia method, the L group site correlated most closely with menstrual changes (P = 0.006). Postoperative menstrual changes were observed in all subjects who underwent L group on both upper arms, bilateral accessory breast tissue, both sides of the waist and abdomen, both upper arms and axillae, or the hip and both upper arms.

Conclusion: Compared with other plastic surgeries, L group has a greater impact on menstrual changes. The anatomical site of L group was identified as the most influential factor.

Keywords

Menstruation / liposuction / retrospective study

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