October 6, 2022: Pamela Jock has had normal periods, even though she was 50 and knew perimenopause was on the horizon. But shortly after receiving the timing of a two-round COVID-19 vaccine in June 2020, his cycle began to change. At age 52, it may be perimenopause, but Jock had to wonder if the vaccine might have played a role. It turns out that the answer to his hypothesis is “maybe. “
A new study, published recently in The BMJ, delved into the imaginable link between the COVID vaccine and abnormal periods. The survey, led by Alison Edelman, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health.
Using knowledge from a period tracking app called Natural Cycles, the study amassed figures from more than 20,000 women worldwide. The researchers performed all 3 menstrual cycles before vaccination and at least one cycle after. in an organization that had not won the vaccine.
The effects revealed that, on average, vaccinated women had their periods 0. 71 days after the first injection. Those who won two vaccines in one cycle saw a longer four-day cycle length, on average. This follows Jock’s experience. ” My cycle has lasted 30 days, generally 26 days,” he says. “Then I had a gap between cycles for a few months. “
This is where the link between the vaccine cycle becomes murkier. Given Jock’s age, his large gap between cycles may be perimenopause, especially since the study only looked at women between the ages of 18 and 45, who already had normal cycles. But Jock still wonders. ” After receiving my first reminder in the fall of 2021, my era returned to normal, showing up every 26 days,” he says. “But they were incredibly heavy and I was tired and exhausted. “
Follow-up blood tests revealed anemia, as a prospective outcome. When asked about a possible link between the vaccine and the abnormal cycle, Jock says, “The doctor didn’t think there was a link, and it was probably perimenopause. “
Whats happening
Whether it’s in the age diversity of other people in the study or beyond, like Jock, the dating between the COVID vaccine and changes in the menstrual cycle may be due to several things, says Esther Goldsmith, an exercise physiologist at bioanalysis company Orreco.
“This can be influenced by the timing of your vaccination cycle,” he says. “We know that adjustments in estrogen and progesterone in the menstrual cycle can affect the immune formula and our immune responses. So I think it’s really attractive that the exam shows that those who gained two doses in the same cycle were the maximum ed.
Orreco’s data collection, which focuses on female athletes, has shown that the vaccine would possibly also have other effects that would possibly play a role.
“We’ve also noticed that the vaccine can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, things we measured through point-of-care blood tests,” Goldsmith says. symptoms of the cycle. “
Shaghayegh DeNoble, MD, with Advanced Gynecology and Laparoscopic of North Jersey, says she hears many patients say that their periods came later than expected and/or that they had heavier periods than normal after the vaccine, such as after a COVID infection.
“I remind them that many things can replace our cycles, add travel, convert seasons and stress,” he says. “It happens all the time and there are no long-term effects. I assure you that your cycles will return to normal.
The studies found that in most cases, it usually occurred within one to two cycles after the vaccine, which is also consistent with what DeNoble’s patients reported.
Quieting the mind
While studies have been able to identify a very likely link between the vaccine and abnormal menstrual cycles, Goldsmith and DeNoble state that the shots have no effect on fertility.
“I get so many phone calls from women concerned that because their periods weren’t there, their fertility would also be at risk,” DeNoble says. “But fertility is not reduced because of the vaccine. “
Jock says she’s thankful that fertility is no longer something she cares about. “I would be worried if I did,” he admits.
Goldsmith says such fears are unwarranted and wants women to defuse any alarms. “An era is a very natural reaction to anything that is physiologically a vital event for your body,” he says. types, whether nutrition, lifestyle, stress, or the immune system. So it shouldn’t surprise us that it responds to things like vaccines. This is probably not a new phenomenon, but it may not have been documented in the past. .
Now, armed with the study findings, DeNoble says it will be to teach patients what to expect with reminders.
“It’s very important for us to warn patients about potential side effects,” he says, “and it’s also vital that we can reassure them. “
Goldsmith recommends keeping track of your cycles, documenting any adjustments, vaccine or not.
“We all pay attention to our cycles and make sure to take care of ourselves in those moments to reduce the stress to which the picture is subjected,” he says.
While Jock never knows for sure that his abnormal cycles were the result of the vaccine or perimenopause, he discusses what happens when he soon receives the bivalent COVID vaccine. “I’m curious to see if it takes me down the same path,” he says. Says.
Regardless of the downsides of a cycle, Jock doesn’t regret getting the vaccine, saying, “I’d rather stay healthy and avoid COVID. “
Pamela Joc.
The BMJ: “Menstrual adjustments after vaccination against covid-19”.
Esther Goldsmith, exercise physiologist, Orreco.
Shaghayegh DeNoble, MD, Advanced Gynecology and North Jersey Laparoscopy.
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