Menstrual abnormalities after COVID-19 vaccines: A systematic review

Nazir, Maheen; Asghar, Shumaila; Rathore, Muhammad Ali; Shahzad, Asima; Shahid, Anum; Khan, Anwar Ahmed; Malik, Asmara; Fakhar, Tehniat; Kausar, Hafsa; Malik, Jahanzeb

doi:10.1016/j.vacun.2022.07.001

Cited by 49 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…This was consistent with previous studies indicated higher vaccine hesitancy among women ( 6 , 43 ). We noted that 29 (5%) women reported menstrual abnormalities after the primary vaccination, which was also mentioned by several previous studies ( 49 , 50 ). Although it was unknown whether the menstrual abnormalities were cause by potential biological influence of the vaccine or by stress and psychological distress, it was known that women were going through this uncomfortableness, which might also influence on their child-bearing plan.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and associated factors among infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment

Wang

Wang²,

Du³

et al. 2022

Front. Immunol.

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Although periconception vaccination is important to maternal and neonatal health, little is known about the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among infertile couples seeking fertility treatment. Thus, we conducted this survey among infertile patients in a reproductive medicine center, between September 2021 and December 2021, to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its influencing factors. Information was collected through face-to-face interviews among volunteers. Among the 987 included interviewees, 17.33% reported hesitancy in primary vaccination, 25.63% reported hesitancy in booster vaccination, and 32.32% delayed the primary vaccination. Hesitancy in primary vaccination was associated with unexplained infertility (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.05-2.98), ongoing IVF treatment (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.22-3.89), concerns for vaccine safety (OR: 4.13, 95% CI: 2.66-6.42), effectiveness (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.15-2.28), and influence on pregnancy (OR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.68-4.67). These factors were also associated with hesitancy in booster vaccination. Delay of the primary vaccination was inversely associated with a college or above degree (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.27-0.87), previous history of influenza vaccination (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46-0.98), and was positively associated with concerns for the influence on pregnancy (OR: 7.78, 95% CI: 5.01-12.07). It is necessary to carry out targeted education program by health professionals to publicize the benefits of periconception vaccination, and to reduce the resistance to COVID-19 vaccine among infertile couples.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and associated factors among infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment

Wang

Wang²,

Du³

et al. 2022

Front. Immunol.

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“…Despite evidence in support of short-term menstrual changes, menstrual cycles have been reported to return to normal after a few months with no long-term impacts (7,31). Additionally, there is no research to support that the COVID-19 vaccinations impact fertility and long-term reproductive health; thus, they continue to be recommended for women of reproductive age (13,31).…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has shown that mass vaccination to achieve herd immunity is the most effective manner to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic (37). It is worth reiterating that despite short-term menstrual changes, there is no research to support the fear that COVID-19 vaccinations impact fertility, and vaccines are recommended for women of reproductive age (13,31).…”

Section: The Context Of Vaccine Hesitancymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As such, the vaccination schemes may present reproductive and sexual health challenges for women of reproductive age. Although recent reviews have qualitatively described post-vaccination menstrual abnormalities for women of reproductive age, none have sought to quantify the potential impact of COVID-19 vaccination on menstrual irregularities (6,12,13). To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to review and quantify the impact of COVID-19 vaccinations on the menstrual cycles of women of reproductive age and to recommend future avenues of study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of COVID-19 vaccination on the menstrual cycle

Chao

Menon²,

Elgendi³

2022

Front. Med.

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Numerous anecdotal accounts and qualitative research studies have reported on post-vaccination menstrual irregularities in women of reproductive age. However, none have quantified the impact. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify and characterize the menstrual irregularities associated with vaccination for women of reproductive age. A search on July 20, 2022, retrieved articles published between December 1, 2019, and July 1, 2022, from MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. The included articles were studies with full texts written in English that reported on menstrual irregularities for vaccinated vs. unvaccinated women of reproductive age. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Study Quality Assessment Tool for Observation Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Four observational studies were included. Review Manager was used to generating a forest plot with odds ratios (ORs) at the 95% confidence interval (CI), finding statistically significant associations between vaccination and menstrual irregularities for 25,054 women of reproductive age (OR = 1.91, CI: 1.76–2.07) with a significant overall effect of the mean (Z = 16.01, p < 0.0001). The studies were heterogeneous with significant dispersion of values (χ2 = 195.10 at df = 3, p < 0.00001, I2 = 98%). The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis are limited by the availability of quantitative data. The results have implications for treating women of reproductive age with menstrual irregularities and informing them about the potential side effects of vaccinations.

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“…Indeed, most of the studies that have been published (11/14) on menstrual changes after COVID-19 vaccine administration are cross-sectional, and with a similar methodology. 3 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%