Earlier this year, when the COVID-19 vaccine began to be distributed, several female patients and adolescent girls complained on social media that their menstrual cycles were messed up after being vaccinated. Researchers also investigated this possibility.
As for the complaints they feel are different, it seems that it depends on their body condition and age. Some postmenopausal women admit to getting their period again for the first time after a long period of not having it. They also wondered if the vaccine might be the cause.
Researchers at five institutions, supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States (US), will conduct a year-long study to examine a possible link between vaccinations and menstrual irregularities. This study was also conducted to help allay concerns that might discourage women from being vaccinated.
The evidence surrounding abnormal menstrual periods has so far been purely anecdotal. There is no known definite relationship between vaccination and menstrual changes. Public health experts reiterated that vaccines are safe, effective and necessary to end the pandemic.
However, as quoted by the New York Times, Wednesday (15/9/2021) these stories support data gaps on reproductive health and women's menstrual cycles that were not recorded during clinical trials, including during COVID-19 vaccine trials. Also, there have been no published scientific studies examining the potential link between the COVID-19 vaccine and the menstrual cycle.
"This is an important issue that is overlooked. I have heard from my own patients about differences in their periods after receiving the vaccine," said Dr Hugh Taylor, chair of the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine.
"Many people experience irregular periods for various reasons. Whether it's completely different in people who are vaccinated, or just coincidence when they experience it, then they suspect the COVID-19 vaccine to be the cause," he continued.
The research will be carried out by a team at Boston University, Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University, Michigan State University and Oregon Health and Science University. The study will include participants of all ages and backgrounds who have not been vaccinated, including those who plan to get a vaccine shot and those who do not, to study their menstrual cycles before and after.
Possibility of Death
Doctors say that menstrual conditions can be a reflection of a woman's overall health. But they do point out that a number of different factors can temporarily affect a woman's period, including stress, illness or lifestyle changes. Menstrual periods, including long and short menstrual cycles, also vary greatly from woman to woman.
