Menstrual cycle changes: A cross-sectional study of Saudi females following SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract

Temporary changes in the menstrual cycle have recently been reported following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. In the current study, we aimed to screen menstrual cycle changes following SARS-CoV-2 infection in Saudi Arabia. The type and duration of these changes have been screened in relation to the severity of coronavirus disease symptoms and vaccination status. In total, 956 individuals responded: sixty-nine did not get the COVID-19 vaccine, while the remaining were vaccinated with either a single dose of ChAdOx1 vaccine (n:45) or BNT162b2 vaccine (n: 142) or two doses of the vaccine (n:700) using BNT162b2 (n:477), ChAdOx1 (n:89) or ChAdOx1/ BNT162b2 (n:134). Approximately 26.1% (18/69) of the subjects who did not receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and 15.3% (29/188) and 26.4% (185/700) of the subjects who received single and double doses of the vaccines, respectively, reported menstrual cycle changes. The persistence of menstrual cycle changes for more than six months was reported by 6.4% (61/956) of the participants. These changes were significantly correlated with the severity of COVID-19 infection. We concluded that menstrual cycle changes, associated with COVID-19 infection, increase due to the severity of COVID-19 infection. Thus, menstrual cycle changes are among the long-term effects associated with COVID-19 infection.

The prevalence of menstrual changes in COVID-19 vaccinated women: A cross-sectional study

“…The factors influencing menstrual cycle are numerous and complex while physical and psychological factors contribute to its irregularity. It is well-established that stress and anxiety can elicit a hormonal response in the body, which in turn can affect the menstrual cycle ( Bull et al, 2019 , Abdel-Moneim et al, 2022 ). Suggesting a linkage between vaccination and menstrual cycle changes (MCs) is not a precedent for COVID-19 vaccines.…”

Influence of COVID-19 infection/vaccination on menstrual regularity and hormonal function in Saudi females of reproductive age

“…The vaccine does not include any hormones or other ingredients that could influence hormone levels or the menstrual cycle [ 19 ]. However, there are some publications suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines influence female menstrual cycle regularity [ 20 , 21 ].…”