COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual disturbances: A prospective study from Pakistan

Pak J Med Sci. 2024 Aug;40(7):1345-1348. doi: 10.12669/pjms.40.7.8709.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether or not immunization against COVID-19 is associated with changes in the duration and frequency of the menstrual cycle.

Methods: This prospective analysis included the menstrual cycle data of 154 females after COVID-19 vaccination from August 2021 to March 2022. This study included Pakistani females aged 18 to 45 years and who had taken at-least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination. After two months of COVID vaccine the participants were interviewed again about the timing and duration of their menstrual cycle. The increase in menstrual length for >eight days was labelled as increased menstrual cycle duration.

Results: Mean age of participants was 33.53±8.52 years. Among 154, 113 (73.4%) were married. Among 154 females, menstrual abnormality was reported by 59 (38.3%) females, increase in cycle duration was reported by 25 (16.2%) patients and decrease by 22 (14.3%), increase in number of bleeding days by 20 (13%) females and decrease by 15 (9.7%), increase in pain intensity was reported by 19 (12.3%) females and decrease by 17 (11.0%), increased intensity of blood flow was reported by 20 (13.0%) patients and decreased intensity by 19 (12.3%) females.

Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination is not associated with menstrual abnormalities in a significant number of females.

Keywords: COVID-19; Menstrual cycle; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine.