A retrospective case-control study on menstrual cycle changes following COVID-19 vaccination and disease 2023 Alvergne et al

Highlights

• Menstrual disturbances were reported by 1 in 5 people after COVID-19 vaccination
• Perceived vaccine-related menstrual changes decreased with combined contraceptives
• Vaccinated individuals were not at increased risk of abnormal uterine bleeding
• COVID-19 disease associated with heavier menstrual flow volume

Summary

There has been increasing public concern that COVID-19 vaccination causes menstrual disturbance regarding the relative effect of vaccination compared to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our objectives were to test potential risk factors for reporting menstrual cycle changes following COVID-19 vaccination and to compare menstrual parameters following COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 disease. We performed a secondary analysis of a retrospective online survey conducted in the UK in March 2021. In pre-menopausal vaccinated participants (n = 4,989), 18% reported menstrual cycle changes after their first COVID-19 vaccine injection. The prevalence of reporting any menstrual changes was higher for women who smoke, have a history of COVID-19 disease, or are not using estradiol-containing contraceptives. In a second sample including both vaccinated and unvaccinated participants (n = 12,579), COVID-19 vaccination alone was not associated with abnormal menstrual cycle parameters, while a history of COVID-19 disease was associated with an increased risk of reporting heavier bleeding, “missed” periods, and inter-menstrual bleeding.

Open access, https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(23)00478-9