Do COVID-19 vaccines really delay your periods and menstrual cycle? Separating fact from fiction
Can getting a COVID-19 vaccine REALLY impact your period cycles? We explain
A
lot has been said and discussed about coronavirus vaccines and the
different, unusual side-effects they can lead to. While vaccines are
known to affect every individual a bit differently, startling effects
have right now been seen with women and their menstrual cycles.
From a lot of emerging evidence available globally, COVID-19 vaccines have been seen to postpone periods for some women, or 'alter' menstrual cycles altogether. The observations have made many put off vaccination, or even worry about if their 'side-effects' are alright. While a lot of women have seemingly observed these differences shortly after vaccination, no scientific evidence has been linked to the same. So, what's really causing these unusual side-effects?
What evidence do we have about COVID-19 vaccines impacting women's fertility and menstrual cycles?
Findings
from immunization data collected through the recent months have found
that a peculiar side-effect of the COVID-19 vaccines could be impacting
menstrual cycles. Not only has been become a wide topic of discussion on
internet forums, the increasing reports have also been subjected to
clinical research. Most commonly, a lot of women have reportedly
experienced a delayed than usual period cycle, intense premenstrual
symptoms and period pain, lighter/heavier periods and similar other
changes in their cycle durations.
The side-effects have become an increasing cause of concern and worry for women all around experiencing these changes even as no concrete or scientific link between the vaccines impacting menstrual cycles have been found.
Can your immune system bring changes to your menstrual cycle?
The
strange changes, though may not be categorized as typical vaccine
side-effects have become a cause of worry. While experts continue to peg
them to be unrelated to vaccine's working, what doctors do feel is that
the irregularities and changes could possibly be fueled by our immune
system.
Although reproductive side-effects are not associated with vaccines, there's one way how our immune system could bring about changes to periods, all thanks to our hormones.
Women, unlike men, have a highly volatile hormonal system in place, and there are specific changes that come in through cycle lengths. For example, just as a woman is about to ovulate, the immune system receives a sort of a 'signal' to prevent infectious agents from disrupting the process of fertilization. Similar changes kick in once fertilization occurs successfully.
The cells present in the uterine linings also contain some immune cells, which could be affected by hormonal changes and create some mild, inflammatory reactions. So, in most cases, for women who may be in the middle or near to their ovulation cycles, the hormonal changes could drive some changes and if the ovulation doesn't happen, the vaccine could end up spelling some changes to the period cycle.
Blame it on the stress!
Apart
from the above-stated factor, there's also a big pre-existing
determinant that affects period-related changes, and also affects immune
changes associated with the vaccine, that is stress.
Stress and anxiety are known to impact and weaken immune functioning over time. With vaccines particularly, it has been observed that a lot of the immunization-related side-effects are actually resultant of underlying stress, and not directly related to the vaccine. So, while stress has been clinically known to delay and impact periods, it can be quite possible that undue levels of stress and heightened anxiety around vaccination could also delay your periods or drive in hormonal changes.
Chemical stress- which is termed to be the reaction when medications that alter your period could also be a reason behind the delay. Women who may be relying on certain medications, such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid or mental health disorders are more prone to suffering from menstrual irregularities, with or without a vaccine.
Are there any other effects seen with inoculation and overall fertility?
Apart from the temporary period-related changes, no effects as such have been observed on women's fertility or reproduction with respect to vaccines. While there have been a lot of falsities and misinformation around vaccines hampering fertility, or women being advised not to get jabbed during their cycles, no evidence or truth has been found about the same. Even with the menstrual changes, though unusual, these 'side-effects' have been found to be temporary in nature.
Scepticism and myths could contribute to hesitancy
Again, while experts continue to look into the matter, experts emphasize that women worldwide must be educated on the possible side-effects, and know how to separate fact from fiction to curb any hesitancy related to inoculation. Women currently are more vulnerable to the COVID-19 risks, and also less inoculated than men. Hence, awareness, and counselling of possible side-effects will quell fears and hesitancy.
What should you really do if you observe changes?
Observing
period-related changes as a possible COVID-19 vaccine side-effect can
happen, even if there are rarer chances of that happening. Nonetheless,
not only should women be prepared to 'expect' such a side-effect, it
should be remembered that any changes would be temporary in nature.
If period disruptions continue to bother you, booking a consult with a healthcare provider (preferably a gynaecologist) could help guide you on the right path. Seeking help at the right time, following preventive protocols before and after vaccination will also help women manage their hormonal changes better.