Effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine on the Menstrual Cycle among Females in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Women's Perception of the Effect of COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination on Menstrual Cycle Length

Background and Aim

This study was conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 virus and the vaccine on menstrual periods. The data from this study would increase people's awareness of the impacts of the virus and its vaccines on menstrual periods and serve as a reference for further studies.

Materials and Methods

The data was collected through a web link where standardized close-ended questionnaires were distributed via several social media platforms in Saudi Arabia.

Results

The study included 691 respondents, with 411 women meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority of participants fell within the age range of 35-45, and 64% held at least a bachelor's degree. The Eastern region of Saudi Arabia had the highest percentage of participants, while the Northern region had the lowest. More than half of the participants were married, and 57% reported having been infected with COVID-19. The vast majority (99%) had received the COVID-19 vaccine, primarily the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The study assessed the association between menstruation experience and symptoms in three situations: before infection or vaccination, after COVID-19 infection, and after vaccination. Differences were observed in the length of the menstrual cycle and flow, but no statistically significant differences were found for pelvic and back pain.

Conclusions

The result of this current study suggests that COVID-19 infection and/or vaccination has several effects on the menstrual cycle which changes in menses are minimal and transient.

Prevalence of menstrual irregularities after coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination: A cross-sectional study in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Reports indicate that there are menstrual cycle disturbances following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. The present study explored the prevalence of menstrual irregularities after COVID-19 vaccination and the association of menstrual irregularities with vaccine type, doses, immediate adverse effects, history of COVID-19 infection, and its severity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, 406 women of reproductive age completed an online survey about the postvaccine changes in their menstruation (cycle duration, bleeding days, and bleeding amount), COVID-19 vaccine history (doses, type of vaccine, and immediate adverse effects), history of COVID-19 infection, and its severity. Data was analyzed using SPSS; descriptive statistics were computed and Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Of the total 406 women, 45% reported postvaccine changes in their menstrual cycle. The most common menstrual change was increased dysmenorrhea (68%), followed by an increase in the length of the cycle (52%). There was a significant association between postvaccine menstrual changes and the age, marital status, and family history of menstrual irregularities. No association was observed between postvaccine menstrual changes and COVID-19 vaccine-and COVID-19 infection-related variables. As per the best-fit model of our predictors, the odds of having postvaccine menstrual changes were 0.41 times less in "single" women (confidence interval [CI] = 0.26-0.27; P < 0.001) and 1.714 times greater in women who had a "family history of menstrual irregularities" (CI = 1.092-2.690; P = 0.02), respectively.

CONCLUSION

A substantial number of women complained of postvaccine menstrual changes regardless of their age, type of COVID-19 vaccine, doses, immediate adverse effects, and COVID-19 infection history/severity. Being "single" decreased the probability, whereas having a family history of menstrual irregularities increased the probability significantly of having postvaccine menstrual changes.

The Relationship Between Menstrual Cycle Irregularities and COVID-19 Vaccination

Background After COVID-19 vaccination, females reported irregularities and changes in their menstrual cycle. We aimed to explore the menstrual irregularities following COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi women of childbearing age. Methodology The study was a cross-sectional study conducted among women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who had no history of menstrual irregularities before receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The participants filled out an online self-administered questionnaire via Google Form about any menstrual irregularities they experienced after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Results A total of 535 participants completed the survey. The study found that 41.7% (223) of women experienced menstrual changes after the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, increasing to 44.1% (236) after the second dose. The incidence of these changes varied between the first and second doses. For example, the incidence of changes in period duration decreased from 51.6% to 48.3% after the first and second doses, respectively. Similarly, the incidence of delayed periods decreased from 48.4% to 47.9%, while dysmenorrhea increased slightly from 30.9% to 32.2% after the two doses. The incidence of heavier menstrual flow increased from 26.9% to 30.5%, while the incidence of lighter menstrual flow decreased from 26.9% to 24.6% after the first and second doses, respectively. Conclusions There is an increased incidence of changes in menstrual cycle after COVID-19 vaccination, particularly in menstrual cycle length, menstrual pain, and the flow of menstruation. Future studies are needed to investigate the potential underlying biological mechanisms.

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

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on women's health, particularly on their menstrual cycles. The menstrual cycle serves as a crucial indicator of fertility and reproduction.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 infection and vaccination on menstrual regularity in Saudi women of childbearing age. Additionally, it sought to explore the potential effects of COVID-19 vaccination on serum hormonal levels during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, along with their relationship with Vit.D.

Methods

This case‒control study investigated the impact of COVID-19 infection and vaccination on menstrual regularity and hormonal function in Saudi women of reproductive age. Data were collected from 79 women who attended the Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at King Faisal Medical Complex in Taif, Saudi Arabia. All participants had received COVID-19 vaccines. The data collection process was comprehensive, encompassing various participant characteristics, such as demographic information, history of COVID-19 infection, and details about menstrual patterns before and after infection and vaccination. Furthermore, hormonal measurements, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and vitamin D (Vit.D) levels, were extracted from the participants' medical records.

Results

Among the participants, 39.24 % had a history of COVID-19 infection, and following the infection, there was a significant increase in the proportion of women experiencing irregular menstruation. After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, 72.15 % of the participants continued to have irregular menstrual cycles. The study found that a considerable number of participants had menstrual cycles outside the normal range, with 43.80 % having cycles shorter than 21 days and 35.10 % having cycles longer than 35 days. Comparing participants with regular and irregular cycles after COVID-19 vaccination, no significant changes were observed in most hormonal levels. However, the prolactin hormone showed a significant increase in participants with irregular cycles, while Vit.D levels were significantly decreased in this group.

Conclusion

The study findings indicate a higher prevalence of irregular menstruation among participants, particularly after vaccination. Notably, irregular menstrual cycles were found to be associated with elevated levels of prolactin hormone and decreased levels of Vit.D.

The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine on Women's Reproductive Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was developed to stimulate acquired immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Symptoms of reproductive health abnormalities have been reported following the administration of the adenovirus and mRNA-containing vaccine. Such complaints included irregular menstrual cycles, miscarriages, changes in sexual interest, vaginal bleeding, and decreased milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. This study aimed to explore the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on the reproductive health of women attending five primary healthcare centers in the western region of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 women between 15 and 50 years. Five primary healthcare centers were included from May to September 2022. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used; data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire from women who received any number or type of COVID-19 vaccine. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY, USA).

RESULTS

Of those who responded to the questionnaire (297 participants), 74% were married, and 52% had 1-3 children. Of the pregnant women, only 4% lost their pregnancy. In addition, of the breastfeeding mothers, 10% noticed a decrease in milk production after the vaccination. The effect of the vaccination status on decreased libido was 11%. A small proportion (18%) of the participants reported worsening dietary habits after the vaccine. Less than half of the participants (44%) reported a change in the length and amount of the menstrual cycle, and 29% worsened premenstrual syndrome (PMS). There was no significant association between the type and the number of doses on the rate of miscarriage (p=0.47), breastmilk production (p=0.47), libido (p=0.11), health diet habits (p=0.15), monthly cycle (p=0.570), heavy menses (p=0.999), and PMS symptoms in the study participants.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 vaccination remains necessary to prevent severe infection and is safe for females of reproductive age, whether trying to get pregnant or lactating, and has no significant effect on the menstrual cycle. This research can be used as a basis when deciding on vaccines in case of future pandemics and remove misinformation and doubts regarding the vaccines that should be adequately addressed.