Title:COVID-19 Vaccines and the Menstrual Cycle: A Cross-Sectional Study
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Author(s): Naser Al-Husban, Sondos Al-Najjar*, Fatima Abdulsattar Alkubaisi, Abdulla M. Alzibdeh, Kenan A.S Yasin and Alhareth Eid Alhusban
Affiliation:
- Intern,
Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
Keywords:
COVID-19, menstrual, PMS, vaccine, body mass index (BMI), premenstrual syndrome.
Abstract:
Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of various COVID-19 vaccines on
the menstrual cycle of Jordanian women.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of tracked menstrual changes using
an anonymous questionnaire written in the local language. We received 732 responses, and after
exclusions, 617 responses were analyzed. The questionnaire covered six sectors: demographics,
medical history, COVID-19 infection and vaccination status, obstetric and gynecological history,
menstrual cycle history, and specific questions about cycle length, flow, and any symptoms before
and after each vaccine shot. Participants included Jordanian females who had received any
type of COVID-19 vaccine.
Results: Among the participants analyzed, two-thirds were between the ages of 20-35, and the majority
had a normal BMI (59.6%). Most participants were single, nulliparous, and had never used
contraception methods (79.3%, 82.0%, and 93.8%, respectively). Only a small percentage had
other risk factors influencing menstrual cycle changes, such as surgical procedures (10.5%) and
specific medications (8.10%). Baseline menstrual information was recorded. Forty percent of participants
experienced changes in menstrual duration, and approximately one-fifth reported heavier
and more severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Body mass index (BMI) was directly
correlated with bleeding intensity after vaccination. Parity was weakly directly proportional to
bleeding intensity after vaccination. However, BMI and parity did not significantly correlate with
menstrual duration, menstrual cycle length, PMS symptoms, or cramps after vaccination.
Conclusion: In a population of young, non-sexually active women with a normal BMI, most participants
did not experience significant changes in their menstrual cycles after receiving the
COVID-19 vaccine. Only one-fifth of participants reported shorter duration, heavier bleeding,
more frequent, more painful, and more severe PMS symptoms post-vaccination.