COVID and menstruation - pandemic about the menstrual cycle

Menstrual cycle disorders and COVID-19 – what does the research say?

Looking for an answer to this question, I found an article on the possible impact of coronavirus on menstruation, ovarian function, and sex hormone levels. The tests, conducted by specialists from Shanghai University, were performed on 177 menstruating people who tested positive for COVID-19. Of course, these were not uniform cases - some people had a more severe infection, others had milder symptoms. There were also inevitable discrepancies in menstrual cycles - their length or the amount of bleeding itself. The general conclusions were as follows:

• among the respondents, the most common menstrual disorders were scanty bleeding and prolonged menstrual cycle ,
• no significant changes were observed in the levels of sex hormones in healthy people and those infected with coronavirus,
• Menstrual cycle disturbances ceased 1 to 2 months after infection.

Linda Fan, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Yale, hypothesized that the coronavirus could therefore have a (temporary) effect on female reproductive organs. Others speculate that changes in menstrual cycles may depend on the course (duration and severity of symptoms) of the disease. The emergence of menstrual disorders in the course of the coronavirus is now the subject of many studies – we are keeping our finger on the pulse and monitoring this issue.

PCOS increases risk of infection?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common hormonal (endocrine) disorders in people of reproductive age. It is generally accepted that this age does not predispose to an increased risk of severe and long-term complications after COVID-19, which are rather attributed to older people. However, this condition increases the chance of contracting:

• type 2 diabetes,
• obesity,
• ischemic heart disease,
• hypertension.

The above-mentioned conditions increase the risk of severe coronavirus infection.

Insulin resistance (which may also be associated with hyperinsulinemia, i.e. too high insulin concentration relative to blood glucose concentration) may lead to hyperandrogenism (excessive secretion of androgens). In combination with other anomalies often accompanying PCOS (such as immune system dysfunction or hyperglycemia), it may play a role in the pathophysiogenesis of COVID-19. With the emphasis on "may" - it is possible that only selected PCOS phenotypes enhance the negative course of coronavirus disease. This issue is still the subject of numerous studies and expert opinions.

Vitamin D deficiency, which is associated with a risk of a more severe course of coronavirus disease, may also be a cause of increased symptoms in people struggling with PCOS. According to research, calcium and vitamin D deficiency may be the cause of irregular periods in people with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Coronavirus and Hashimoto (and other thyroid diseases)

The most common thyroid diseases include primarily its hyperactivity and hypoactivity, i.e. disorders of its hormone production. Hashimoto's disease is the main cause of their deficiency - it is a chronic, autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland, during which the immune system produces antibodies that destroy its cells. Does this mean that people struggling with thyroid diseases are more predisposed to infection and severe course of COVID-19?

• It turns out that no – neither thyroid disorders nor taking levothyroxine to balance hormone levels result in a higher incidence of disease or the risk of hospitalization.
• Coronavirus can lead to temporary thyroid dysfunction and subacute thyroiditis (aka de Quervain's disease) - studies show that this may affect 15% to 30% of people infected with SARS-CoV2. It is believed that subacute thyroiditis is caused by viral infections, and genetic factors may also play a role.

However, experts assure that any changes in the functioning of the thyroid gland resulting from coronavirus disease are temporary and disappear after its symptoms are treated.

You can read more about Hashimoto's in our article:diet for Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism .

Menstrual disorders after vaccination – is it dangerous?

Disturbing changes in menstrual blood volume , menstrual cycle disorders, amenorrhea, unexpected bleeding during menopause – such phrases appear on the internet in the context of the negative effects of taking vaccines by menstruating people. Is there really anything to be afraid of?

The British Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has shed light on the matter. Reports collected by the organization, based on medical interviews, show evidence of changes in the nature of patients' menstrual bleeding after receiving the vaccine.

However, the current evidence does not indicate a direct link between vaccination and an increased risk of unexpected bleeding . In addition, based on the MHRA reports, the menstrual irregularities observed in vaccinated individuals lasted (similarly to the Shanghai studies) from 1 to 2 months – in the longer term, such abnormalities should not cause concern or discourage unvaccinated individuals from taking the vaccine.

You can read more about this topic in the article about the impact of vaccinations on your period .

Victoria Male, a lecturer in immunology at Imperial College London, says that flu and HPV vaccines can also disrupt menstrual cycles . Activated immune cells (lymphocytes) in our bodies do not only circulate in the blood – they are part of organs, including the endometrium. One hypothesis is that a strong immune response and temporary chemical imbalance may cause the lining of the uterus to shed. Another (which we will mention at the end) points to the influence of mental health and stress on experiencing heavier cycles, irregular bleeding or more severe PMS symptoms.

Vaccine and hormonal contraception

The vector vaccines mentioned at the beginning caused quite a bit of controversy at one time due to the cases of thrombosis that were reported. The links between oral contraception and this disease have been observed since the 1960s, since the pills appeared on the pharmaceutical market.

It's no wonder that many people who take birth control pills are afraid of vaccination and the increased risk of developing blood clots that are dangerous to health and life. And if you want to know what other effects the pills can have, read the articles: " birth control pills and your period " and " birth control pills and libido ".

However, it turns out that the clinical pictures of clots after vaccination and those resulting from taking contraceptive pills are different. Their mutual influence on each other is still being studied and tested. People taking contraceptive pills should discuss the issue of taking the vaccine with their doctor to monitor the body's reaction.

We encourage you to read our other articles: about hormonal contraception , emergency contraception and a collective text onall currently available methods of preventing pregnancy .

Does vaccination affect fertility?

Menstrual cycle disruptions after receiving the vaccine have caused quite a stir and sown the seeds of uncertainty about its effect on fertility. Where do these assumptions come from? The virus's "spike" protein (which allows it to enter body cells) and syncytin (responsible for building the placenta) are thought by some to cross-react with each other.

Experts agree on this issue – there is CURRENTLY no scientific evidence to support this theory and link fertility and pregnancy problems after receiving the vaccine. Additionally, clinical studies do not confirm the impact of virus infection and vaccination on intrauterine development of the fetus.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on mental health

We wrote about how stress can disrupt the menstrual cycle here !

Long-term stress causes an increase in prolactin levels in the body and disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. This trio (or rather the communication between it and the ovaries) is crucial for menstruating people - any disruptions in this route can result in temporary menstrual disorders. Similarly, discrepancies on the aforementioned axis concern, among others, people struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. It is impossible to rule out the impact of stress on the pandemic cycle turmoil - however, this is an individual issue that requires specific diagnostics.

"Covid tail" or long-distance runners in the crown

Can a prolonged medical condition cause menstrual disorders?

Do you forget words, have trouble concentrating and focusing? "You must have Covid fog!" Indeed, the concept of so-called brain fog is increasingly associated with coronavirus. It is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms, which - in addition to those mentioned earlier - include insomnia and chronic fatigue. According to studies, about 25% of people who have had coronavirus experience nervous system ailments.

Ladies and gentlemen, here it is: the so-called long COVID , a condition in which a person who has been infected with coronavirus struggles with its long-term complications. The stress associated with the disease can negatively affect mental health - more and more patients are using the care of psychiatrists and psychotherapists, complaining of anxiety or depression.

Remember that when struggling with irregular periods, you should first exclude other diseases of the reproductive system - people whose menstrual cycles have changed after taking the vaccine should undergo detailed diagnostics (ultrasound, hormonal tests).

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