Changes in menstruation after COVID-19 and vaccination

Objective: To study association between COVID-19, vaccination and severity of subjective sensations during menstruation. Materials and methods: 538 women were interviewed using questionnaire posted at social networks. Results: Intensification of unpleasant sansations during menstruation was reported by 19 % of patients who had COVID-19 and by 10.9% of women who were not infected with COVID-19 (p=0.017); the results of PCR tests for COVID-19 were positive in 24,6% of respondents, and unconfirmed coronavirus infection was in 9.9% (p<0.001); 20.3% of women had positive test results for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and 11.2% of respondents women had negative test results or did not undergo test for antibodies; 55.6% of women were hospitalized in the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, and 18.3% of women received outpatient treatment. The dynamics of unpleasant sensations in vaccinated and non-vaccinatedpatients did not differ significantly. The score assessment of the duration, intensity of menstrual bleeding and intensity of pain in women, who had COVID-19, did not find significant differences compared with women, who were not infected with COVID-19. The duration of the last menstruation was shorter in women vaccinated against COVID-19 than in women, who were not vaccinated: 5 (4-6) and 5 (5-6) days, respectively, (p=0,043). Conclusion: Despite the fact that women who were infected with COVID-19 infection reported on intensification of unpleasant sensations during menstruation more often compared with those who were not infected, detailed questionnaire survey did not confirm significant association betweem the disease and symptoms intensity. Any association between vaccination and intensity of unpleasant sensations during menstruation was also not found.

COVID-19, COVID-19, vaccination, menstruation, pain, bleeding