Janet W Rich-Edwards

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing evidence that women who have experienced infertility are at greater risk for several chronic conditions. However, the mechanisms underlying these associations are not clear. Pathophysiology may be illuminat…

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between infertility history, the risk of type 2 diabetes and HbA1c levels. METHODS: Among the participants in the Nurses' Health Study II (n=116,429), those who repo…

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the effect of endometriosis and uterine fibroids on the long term risk of premature mortality (younger than 70 years). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study SETTING: The Nurses' Health Study II, United States …

OBJECTIVES: To better understand whether history of infertility is associated with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels later in life, outside of reproduction. METHODS: Among 1,758 premenopausal women in the Nurses' Health Study II with mea…

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between infertility and the incidence of invasive cancer. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (1989-2015). SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): A total of 103,080 women aged 25-42 years in the Nurse…

BACKGROUND: Women are at greater risk than men of developing chronic inflammatory conditions and "long COVID." However, few gynecologic health risk factors for long COVID-19 have been identified. Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disord…

Identifying genetic determinants of reproductive success may highlight mechanisms underlying fertility and identify alleles under present-day selection. Using data in 785,604 individuals of European ancestry, we identified 43 genomic loci a…

PURPOSE: Research on infertility and risk of breast cancer has been conflicting, potentially because many well-established breast cancer risk factors, such as pregnancy history, are strongly correlated with infertility. METHODS: We followe…

BACKGROUND: Despite anecdotal reports, the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination on menstrual health have not been systemically investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the associations of SARS-CoV-2 infection…

BACKGROUND: Infertility has been associated with common chronic non-communicable diseases. However, the association of infertility with long-term mortality is unclear. METHODS: We followed 101,777 women aged 25-42 years at enrollment betwe…

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding has been associated with a reduced maternal long-term risk of chronic diseases, but its association with mortality is poorly known. METHODS: We included 166,708 female United States (US) nurses from the Nurses' He…

IMPORTANCE: Menstrual cycle characteristics may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, existing studies are limited, and few have explored the mediating role of established CVD risk factors. OBJECTIV…

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Menstrual cycle dysfunction has been associated with many endocrine-related diseases, but evidence linking menstrual cycle dysfunction with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is scant. The current study investigated the as…

A few studies indicate that women with prolonged time-to-pregnancy (TTP) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This has not been studied in men. We evaluated CVD risk by self-reported TTP among parous women (n = 64,064) an…

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether irregular or long menstrual cycles throughout the life course are associated with all cause and cause specific premature mortality (age <70 years). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Nurses' Health S…

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between endometriosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Women between ages 25 and 42 years in 1989 (n=116,429) reported detailed information on pregnancies and reproductive health at baseli…

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between demographic, lifestyle, and reproductive factors and the risk of ectopic pregnancy (EP). DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: United States. PATIENT(S): Nurses' Health Study II cohort compr…

Much evidence suggests a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Although investigators in numerous case-control studies have found elevation of inflammatory markers in patients with endometriosis, results were not consi…

Higher concentrations of certain phthalate metabolites are associated with adverse reproductive and pregnancy outcomes, as well as poor infant/child health outcomes. In non-pregnant populations, phthalate metabolite concentrations vary by r…

OBJECTIVES: To review the Nurses' Health Study's (NHS's) contribution to identifying risk factors and long-term health consequences of reproductive events. METHODS: We performed a narrative review of the NHS I, NHS II, NHS3, and Growing Up…

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether weight change since age 18 years, current body mass index (BMI), and BMI at age 18 years are associated with fecundity. METHODS: Our study included 1,950 women in the Nurses' Health Study 3 (2010-2014), a pro…

The prevalence of hypertension is increasing among younger women, and new strategies are needed to identify high-risk women who should be targets for early intervention. Several mechanisms underlying hypertension might also contribute to pr…

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that violence victimization is prevalent among women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, it is unclear whether early life abuse contributes directly to PMS or whether associations are expla…

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether use of oral contraceptives is associated with all cause and cause specific mortality. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Nurses' Health Study, data collected between 1976 and 2012. POPULATION: 121,…

BACKGROUND: Abuse in childhood and adolescence may affect risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life. Although mechanisms underlying these relationships are unclear, chronic stress may lead to dysregulation of immune functio…