Madison Clarke
There have been anecdotal reports of changes in menstrual cycles after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, including the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. These changes include early, heavy, or late periods, as well as absent periods. A study conducted in six Arab countries found that fully vaccinated females reported a higher frequency of pelvic pain with periods, with higher scores describing average and worst menstrual pain. Another study tracking 4,000 U.S. women through six menstrual cycles found that, on average, the next period after a COVID-19 vaccine shot started about a day later than usual. While these changes have been reported, there is currently no scientific data to support a direct link between COVID-19 vaccines and irregular periods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of doses | One or more doses |
| Delay in period | On average, the next period started about a day later than usual |
| Heavier bleeding | 66.3% of females experienced menstrual abnormalities, including heavier bleeding |
| Pelvic pain | 85.3% of fully vaccinated participants experienced pelvic pain with periods |
| Back pain | 82.3% of fully vaccinated participants experienced back pain |
| Nausea | 44.2% of fully vaccinated participants experienced nausea |
| Tiredness | 90.5% of fully vaccinated participants experienced tiredness |
| Painkillers | 65.1% of fully vaccinated participants took painkillers without prescription |
| Bowel movement | Change in bowel movement |
| Period duration | No evidence of change in period duration |
| Fertility issues | No connections found between the COVID vaccination and fertility |
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What You'll Learn
Heavier bleeding
There have been reports of heavier bleeding after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that people's menstrual cycles did change following vaccination against the coronavirus. Specifically, the authors reported that people who received the vaccines had slightly longer periods than those who were not vaccinated.
US researchers surveyed over 39,000 adults and found that more than 40% of people with regular periods reported heavier bleeding than usual after vaccination. Another study of 210 women who menstruate found that women who experienced high levels of stress during the early months of the pandemic were more likely to experience heavier menstrual bleeding and longer periods.
While the link between the COVID-19 vaccine and heavier bleeding is not yet fully understood, it is important to note that any changes in menstruation following a vaccine are likely to be temporary and due to an immune response rather than a specific component of the vaccine itself. Dr. Jo Mountfield, Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), emphasizes that any changes to periods following a COVID-19 vaccine are concerning but should only lead to temporary changes that revert to normal within a short time.
It is worth noting that there are many factors that can affect menstruation, and stress is a common cause of disruption to periods. The pandemic has caused increased stress for many people, which may have contributed to changes in menstrual cycles. Additionally, the COVID-19 virus itself has been linked to disruptions in menstrual cycles, with some people experiencing heavier bleeding after recovering from the virus.
While changes in menstruation after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine may be concerning, it is important to remember that these changes are typically temporary and not a cause for significant alarm. However, if heavier bleeding becomes a consistent pattern, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
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More pelvic pain
While the link between the COVID-19 vaccine and menstrual changes is still being studied, some women have reported experiencing pelvic pain after receiving the vaccine. A study conducted in several Arab countries found that fully vaccinated participants were more likely to experience pelvic pain with periods (85.3%) compared to unvaccinated participants (81.9%).
Vaccinated females with Moderna and Pfizer vaccines had the highest average pain scores during menstruation (6.43 and 5.94, respectively), which were significantly higher than other vaccines. Johnson & Johnson was associated with a higher percentage of pelvic pain, followed by Sinopharm, Moderna, and AstraZeneca.
The study also found that vaccinated individuals had higher scores describing average and worst menstrual pain, with some reporting a heavier flow and more days of bleeding. These changes in the menstrual cycle can be concerning, especially for women who have fertility concerns. However, it's important to note that these changes have mostly been short-lived, and there has been no connection found between the COVID-19 vaccine and fertility issues.
Additionally, the benefits of vaccination still outweigh the possible risks and side effects, as contracting COVID-19 can also impact menstrual health and lead to more severe health complications. The changes in the menstrual cycle after vaccination are believed to be temporary and may be due to the immune response triggered by the vaccine, which can affect the complex interplay between immune cells and signals in the uterus.
If you experience persistent or extreme changes to your period, such as heavy bleeding or unusual bleeding, it is recommended to seek medical attention, especially for postmenopausal women or trans individuals.
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Nausea
The COVID-19 vaccine is designed to activate the immune system, and some experts have wondered if this could temporarily disrupt menstrual cycles. While there is no evidence that the vaccine affects fertility, some people have reported changes to their periods after receiving the vaccine, including heavier bleeding, early periods, or irregular menstrual periods. These changes could be due to the immune response to vaccination rather than a specific vaccine component.
It's important to note that any change in stress levels can impact your period, and the COVID-19 pandemic itself may have caused menstrual irregularities for some people. Additionally, side effects from the vaccine, such as fever, could result in a more painful period.
If you are experiencing persistent symptoms or extreme changes to your period, it is recommended to seek medical attention, especially if the bleeding is heavy, unusual, or new.
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Tiredness
While the exact link between the Covid-19 vaccine and changes to the menstrual cycle is not yet known, researchers are studying the issue. Vaccines are designed to activate the immune system, and there is a known correlation between the immune system and hormones. Changes in these hormones can impact how and when you bleed.
A study conducted in several Arab countries found that females who had received one or more doses of the Covid-19 vaccine reported a higher frequency of tiredness, among other symptoms. The study found that 90.5% of fully vaccinated participants experienced tiredness, compared to 87.1% of unvaccinated participants.
It is important to note that the side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine, including tiredness, are typically short-lived and harmless. Experts emphasize that the benefits of taking the vaccine outweigh any potential temporary side effects related to the menstrual cycle.
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Irregular periods
There have been anecdotal reports of irregular menstrual cycles following the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. However, these reports are not a reason to avoid getting vaccinated, as the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. In a study of 4,000 U.S. women, the next period after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine started about a day later than usual. A smaller subset of this group (around 350 women) received both vaccine doses in the same menstrual cycle, resulting in about a two-day change to their next cycle. While this study did not find evidence of any effect on the duration of the menstrual cycle, it did find that vaccinated women experienced heavier flow and more days of bleeding.
Another study conducted in six Arab countries found that fully vaccinated women (who had received two doses or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for three months or more) were more likely to experience pelvic pain with periods, and had higher scores describing average and worst menstrual pain. This study also found a higher percentage of menstrual irregularity and heavy bleeding with coagulations in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine group compared to other vaccines.
It is important to note that changes in a woman's menstrual cycle can be caused by various factors, including stress, lack of sleep, exercise, and some medications. The COVID-19 virus itself has also been shown to cause stress on the body, leading to irregular menstrual cycles for some. While the connection between the COVID-19 vaccine and menstrual changes is still being studied, the National Institutes of Health is using $1.6 million in funding to research this topic further.
If you experience extreme changes to your period, such as heavy bleeding or unusual bleeding, it is recommended to seek medical attention, especially for postmenopausal women or trans individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
Research has shown that the COVID-19 vaccine may cause a slight, temporary change to the menstrual cycle. For example, a study of 4,000 US women found that, on average, the next period after a COVID shot started about a day later than usual. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine affects the duration of periods.
Some people have reported heavier-than-normal bleeding after receiving the vaccine. Other reported changes include back pain, nausea, tiredness, pelvic pain, and a change in bowel movement.
Changes to the menstrual cycle after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are usually short-lived and temporary. However, if you experience extreme changes to your period, such as very heavy bleeding, it is recommended that you seek medical attention.
