Investigating the Effect of the Covid-19 Vaccine on the Menstruation of Women of Reproductive Age in Isfahan City in the Year 2021

Authors
Shekoofeh Alinaqian
Tahereh Heydarian
Maryam Allahdadian
Shamila Mosharraf
Behrouz Rezaei
Fatemeh Derakhshan
Abstract
Introduction: With the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccination, reports of menstrual irregularities began to emerge. This study aimed to examine the association between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle disorders among women of reproductive age in Isfahan in 2021.

Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 550 women of reproductive age who visited vaccination centers and health centers in Isfahan in 2021. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire consisting of 19 questions covering demographic information (such as age, marital status, and residence), type of vaccine received, history of illness, and use of hormonal and non-hormonal medications. In the second part of the questionnaire, participants were asked to report any menstrual characteristics they experienced after receiving the vaccine. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 22) and descriptive statistics (mean, frequency distribution, and relative frequency).

Results: The results indicated no significant difference between the two groups of women in terms of menstrual characteristics, including menstrual bleeding volume (p=0.406), dysmenorrhea (p=0.167), severe spotting (p=0.712), change in menstrual interval (p=0.366), bleeding duration (p=0.168), sudden weight gain (p=0.427), and hair loss (p=0.098).

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that COVID-19 vaccination did not significantly impact the incidence of menstrual cycle disorders. However, further research is needed to better understand the current prevalence of these disorders and the potential physiological mechanisms underlying these changes post-COVID-19 vaccination, in order to provide a more effective preventive or therapeutic approach.
Keywords
COVID-19 Vaccines
Menstruation Disturbances
Dysmenorrhea
Menstrual Cycle
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