There are many reasons for your menstrual period to change, and you should seek a gynecologist’s advice if you are having issues with your period. Covid-19 infection is associated with menstrual irregularities. This could be cycle length variation, bleeding duration, PMS, and amount of pain. If due to infection, most of those changes are temporary, and less likely if you are on hormonal control for contraception. Rarely women complain that these changes persisted for mor than 6 months after a Covid infection. No lasting effects to fertility have been seen.
Long Covid
Long Covid is different and has been linked to persistent menstrual cycle alterations from a UK study with over 12,000 participants. There has been some question as to whether vaccination against COVID-19 could disrupt a menstrual cycle. No study has shown disruption past one to two cycles after getting the vaccine.
Covid Vaccination
A study published in the April 2022 Issue of OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY looked at almost 4000 women with normal natural cycles and looked at the changes in cycles based on information on cycle length before an after vaccination. A newer study excluding women with known menstrual cycle irregularities or hormonal conditions looked at the same issue.
In fact, for all three of the available vaccines, there is less than a one day change in menstrual period length. And also getting SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as COVID-19 vaccination can influence the menstrual cycle and cause alterations.
Change in length of menstrual cycles is not associated with vaccination, and you shouldn’t use worry about a possible menstrual cycle effect as a reason to defer indicated vaccinations.
