Will the COVID-19 Vaccine Affect My Period?
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
As of mid-September 2021, 55% of the United States population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. With the vaccine rolling out to more Americans, questions about the effects of the vaccine are becoming increasingly popular.
One such question asked by both vaccinated and unvaccinated women is, “Will the COVID-19 vaccine affect my period?”
The answer to this is not a simple “yes” or “no,” so we are diving deeper into this topic to bring you some insight.
The COVID vaccine and your period
There have been reports of irregular periods following COVID-19 vaccination. These reports include:
Longer periods
Heavier periods
Delayed periods
More intense cramps
Unexpected bleeding
However, it is hard to determine whether those changes in menstruation are due to the COVID-19 vaccine. As of right now, some scientists believe that irregular periods may be a result of the body’s response to the vaccine, not the contents of the vaccine itself.
But the truth is that not enough studies have occurred to confirm nor deny this. That will soon be changing.
Women’s reproductive health is an issue of great import, which is why the National Institutes of Health has chosen to award grants to five institutions to further study the links between the COVID-19 vaccination and period changes. These grants total $1.67 million and the studies resulting from these grants will take place over the next year.
The focus will be on whether changes to menstruation can be traced back to the COVID-19 vaccine and if so, how long the changes are expected to last. The studies will also attempt to tackle why, if a cause-effect is established, these changes are happening and what the underlying reason is.
How will they do that? Some of these studies will focus on using blood, tissue, and saliva samples collected before vaccination and after to see any changes in hormones. Other studies will use cycle tracking apps to collect and analyze data from diverse populations. And two studies will look specifically at young women as well as women with endometriosis.
These studies will provide women with important information on what to expect in regards to their periods following a COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID infection and your period
As of right now, preliminary studies show that women who were infected with COVID-19 saw changes in their menstruation.
In China, nearly 20% of women who got COVID saw either a lighter period or a longer period. This may be a result of hormone changes that occur with the infection of COVID-19, but more studies need to take place on the relationship between COVID-19 infection and menstruation as well.
Other potential causes for irregular periods
As mentioned above, scientists are digging deeper into whether the COVID-19 virus and the COVID-19 vaccine cause irregular periods.
However, there are some known causes for irregular periods that are important to note:
Stress. Stress can be the catalyst for irregular periods and can come in the form of physical or emotional stress. Since the pandemic began, stress levels have been through the roof, and that stress has left many women suffering from menstruation issues.
Change in diet. If you are on a strict new diet regime, you may find that your period changes.
Change in exercise routine. If you are ramping up your workouts, you may find that your period experiences some shifts.
Birth control. Adding birth control to your life or halting your birth control are both potential causes of issues with menstruation.
Pregnancy. Getting pregnant will certainly change your period.
Breastfeeding. This often leads to shifts in your menstruation.
Always talk to your doctor about changes in your period.
How to regulate your period
If you find that your period is irregular, there are a few things you can do.
Exercise. When you are suffering from an intense period, it is likely that the last thing you want to do is exercise. However, studies show that exercise can help alleviate cramps and can help to regulate your period as well, as long as you aren’t pushing your workouts too hard.
Sleep. A lack of sleep can lead to all sorts of issues, including stress, which affects menstruation. Getting enough sleep helps to keep you relaxed and keep your period more regular.
Meditate. This is a great way to alleviate stress in your life and has the potential to bring your period back on track.
Supplements. Some studies show that vitamin D supplements help with regulating periods.
Birth control. If you are looking to have a more regular period, birth control is an option that may help you with that. Talk to a Sameday Health doctor today about whether birth control is the right option for you.
Stress can wreak all kinds of havoc on the body. So, if you are experiencing irregular periods following your COVID-19 vaccination, it may be a result of stress surrounding that as well as other issues in your life.
However, since the line between the vaccine, the virus, and irregular periods is unclear, we look forward to the research that will take place over the next year.
