Premenstrual and menstrual changes reported after COVID-19 vaccination: The EVA project
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Authors
Baena-García, Laura
Aparicio, Virginia A
Aranda, Pilar
Cámara-Roca, Laura
Ocón-Hernández, Olga
Issue Date
2022-10-10
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Fatigue , Immunization , Menstrual Bleeding , Menstrual Cycle , SARS-CoV-2
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background:
Menstrual disorders were not reported as a possible secondary effect in any of the clinical trials for the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Aim:
To describe the prevalence of perceived premenstrual and menstrual changes after COVID-19 vaccine administration.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Methods:
A total of 14,153 women (mean age 31.5 ± 9.3 years old) who had received the full course of vaccination at least three months earlier were included in this cross-sectional study. Data including the type of vaccine administered, perceived changes in the amount and duration of menstrual bleeding, presence of clots, cycle length, and premenstrual symptoms were collected through a retrospective online survey from June to September 2021.
Results:
Of the women who participated in this study, 3136 reported no menstrual changes and 11,017 (78% of the study sample) reported experiencing menstrual cycle changes after vaccination. In summary, women who reported menstrual changes after vaccination were older (overall p < 0.001) and slightly more smokers (p = 0.05) than women who did not report any changes. The most prevalent changes in relation to premenstrual symptoms were increased fatigue (43%), abdominal bloating (37%), irritability (29%), sadness (28%), and headaches (28%). The most predominant menstrual changes were more menstrual bleeding (43%), more menstrual pain (41%), delayed menstruation (38%), fewer days of menstrual bleeding (34.5%), and shorter cycle length (32%).
Conclusion:
Women vaccinated against COVID-19 usually perceive mild menstrual and premenstrual changes. Future studies are warranted to clarify the physiological mechanisms behind these widely reported changes.
Description
Citation
Baena-García, L., Aparicio, V. A., Molina-López, A., Aranda, P., Cámara-Roca, L., & Ocón-Hernández, O. (2022). Premenstrual and menstrual changes reported after COVID-19 vaccination: The EVA project. Women's health (London, England), 18, 17455057221112237. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221112237
Publisher
Women's Health