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González M, Al-Adib M, Rodríguez AB, Carrasco C. COVID-19 and menstrual-related disturbances: a Spanish retrospective observational study in formerly menstruating women. Front Glob Womens Health 2024; 5:1393765. [PMID: 39140011 PMCID: PMC11319254 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2024.1393765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Four years after the start of the pandemic, there is limited evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the women's health regardless of their reproductive status. Objective The aim was to analyze the prevalence and associated factors of menstrual-related disturbances in formerly menstruating women following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Study design A retrospective observational study of adult women in Spain was conducted during the month of December 2021 using an online survey (N = 17,512). The present analysis includes a subpopulation of SARS-CoV-2-infected and formerly menstruating women (n = 72). The collected data included general characteristics, medical history, and specific information on COVID-19. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests were performed. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was then performed to investigate possible associations between the occurrence of menstrual-related disturbances after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results 38.8% of participants experienced menstrual-related disturbances following COVID-19. Among these, unexpected vaginal bleeding (20.8%) was the most common event, followed by spotting (11.1%) ( Table 1). Other reported changes were in the length (shorter = 12.5%) and flow (heavier = 30.3%) of menstrual bleeding in comparison to their previous experience. Regression analysis revealed that being a perimenopausal woman [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.721, CI 95%, 1.022-21.796, p = 0.047] and having a previous diagnosis of menorrhagia (AOR 5.824 CI 95%, 1.521-22.310, p = 0.010) were factors associated with the event. Conclusion These findings could help health professionals provide their patients with up-to-date scientific information to empower them to actively manage their reproductive health, especially in societies where menstrual health is still taboo.
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Affiliation(s)
- María González
- Grupo de investigación Neuroinmunofisiología y Crononutrición, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Miriam Al-Adib
- Grupo de investigación Neuroinmunofisiología y Crononutrición, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics “Miriam Gine”, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Ana B. Rodríguez
- Grupo de investigación Neuroinmunofisiología y Crononutrición, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Cristina Carrasco
- Grupo de investigación Neuroinmunofisiología y Crononutrición, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
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Berry LC, Shahid S, Sadeghi M. Effect of COVID-19 on Menstruation and Lower Reproductive Tract Health [Letter]. Int J Womens Health 2024; 16:561-562. [PMID: 38567088 PMCID: PMC10986399 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s470011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mahdi Sadeghi
- Medical Education, King’s College London, London, UK
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Polese D, Costanzi F, Bianchi P, Frega A, Bellati F, De Marco MP, Parisi P, Bruni O, Caserta D, Cozza G. The impact of COVID-19 on menstrual cycle's alterations, in relation to depression and sleep disturbances: a prospective observational study in a population of medical students. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:130. [PMID: 38373995 PMCID: PMC10877769 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-02971-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sars-Cov-2 pandemic has determined psychological stress, particularly in the young population of medical students. We studied the impact of the pandemic on menstrual cycle alteration in relation to psychological stress, presence of depression, sleep disturbances and post-traumatic stress, on a population of medical students. METHODS 293 female students at the Faculty of Medicine and Psychology of the Sapienza University of Rome (23.08 years old ± 3.8) were enrolled. In March 2021, one year after quarantine, a personal data sheet on menstrual cycle, examining the quality of the menstrual cycle during the pandemic, compared to the previous period. Concomitantly, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Impact of Event Scale have been administered. A Pearson chi-square test was assessed to evaluate the difference between the characteristics of the menstrual cycle and the scores obtained with the questionnaires. RESULTS A statistically significant association between menstrual alterations and stress during pandemic had been found. The onset of depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances was observed in 57.1% and in 58.1% of young women with cycle's alterations, respectively. Amenorrhea was three times more common in female students with depressive symptoms, premenstrual syndrome had a significant correlation with both depression and sleep disturbances. The pandemic has been related to menstrual alterations, with depressive symptoms and sleep disorders. Amenorrhea is connected to depression, as observed on the functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. CONCLUSIONS The pandemic affected the menstrual cycle as well as the depressive symptoms and sleep. Practical implications of the study lead to the development of strategies for psychological intervention during the pandemic experience, in order to help medical trainees, with specific attention to women's needs. Future studies should analyze the impact of other types of social stress events, on sleep, depression and the menstrual cycle beside the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Polese
- PhD Program on Sensorineural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs NESMOS, Sapienza University of Rome, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, Rome, 00189, Italy.
| | - Flavia Costanzi
- Gynecology Division, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Paola Bianchi
- Gynecology Division, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Antonio Frega
- Gynecology Division, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Filippo Bellati
- Gynecology Division, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Maria Paola De Marco
- Gynecology Division, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Pasquale Parisi
- Chair of Pediatrics, NESMOS Department, Faculty of Medicine & Psychology, Sapienza University c/o Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Oliviero Bruni
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University, Via dei Marsi 78, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Donatella Caserta
- Gynecology Division, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Giuliana Cozza
- Gynecology Division, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, Rome, 00189, Italy
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