Does the Covid vaccine cause period problems?

CORONAVIRUS vaccines have now been rolled out to millions of Brits – but some women have reported period problems after having the jab.

Side effects can occur with most medications – but a change in menstrual cycle is not included on the list of potential side effects with the Covid-19 vaccines.

Thousands of women have reported "heavier than normal bleeding" after having their jab, but experts have reassured women there is no "increased risk" of period problems after the jab so there is no reason to add it to the list of possible side effects.

Official figures revealed that 2,734 reports of period problems linked to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine were made to the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) up to May 17.

A further 1,158 were related to the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, and 66 were linked to people who had received the Moderna vaccine.

The potential side effect did not appear to be flagged during clinical trials on thousands of people.

Does the jab cause period issues?

While thousands of reports have been filed which show a possible link between the jab and the vaccine, no clear link between the two is yet to have been established.

Victoria Male, a reproductive immunologist at Imperial College London, said many women have been stating that their periods are heavier than usual and that they are later than usual.

After reviewing reports, Sarah Branch, MHRA’s director of vigilance and risk management of medicines, said the evidence "does not suggest an increased risk, following vaccination, with the UK’s three Covid-19 vaccines".

She added: "The number of reports is low in relation to the number of women who have had the vaccine to date and the background rate of menstrual disorders generally.

"We continue to closely monitor these reports for potential signals."

Dr Sue Ward, Vice President at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said that life events can cause a change in PMS symptoms.

She explained: "The degree to which changing hormone levels will affect someone is often informed by her psychological wellbeing at that time.

"We know that life events can make PMS symptoms feel worse and something as all-consuming and life-changing as a global pandemic could result in women experiencing their periods differently.

“Anecdotally some women seem to be reporting heavier periods after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine and we would support more data collection in this area to understand why this might be the case.”

In the US the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also had several dozen reports that women have had painful cramps and heavier bleeding after the jab – but the evidence here is also anecdotal – with no clear link to the vaccine.

Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Maryland said that one explanation could be linked to aches and pains that some people have experienced after the jab.

Some side effects of the Covid vaccine include pain at the site of injection, fatigue, as well as aches and pains – all of which can be exacerbate by a woman's menstrual cycle, Amesh said.

Another expert said that stress could also be one reason why some women were experiencing periods that were more uncomfortable than their usual cycle.

Gloria A. Bachmann, MD, associate dean for women's health at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey told Health: "Menstrual cycles can be altered or influenced by many factors, including stress, poor sleep, exercise, and some medications.

"Therefore, it wouldn't be that unusual for some women to notice, after receiving the vaccination, changes in their period, such as it coming on earlier, or having a heavier flow, or noticing more cramping than they usually have."

When should you see a GP?

Dr Pat O’Brien, Vice President at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said it's important to remember that the side effects women have had should not deter people from having their jab.

She explained: "Many women will experience a temporary change in their periods from time to time during their lives.

"And right now, many women in their 20s and 30s are having the Covid vaccine.

"So it seems inevitable that in some women these two events will coincide by chance."

She said there are some signs you should look out for with your cycle.

"If these changes persist, or you have any new vaginal bleeding after the menopause, you should see your doctor.

“We also want to stress that these perceived changes in menstrual cycle after having the Covid-19 vaccine should not be confused with an impact on fertility and the ability to have children.

"There is no evidence to suggest that Covid-19 vaccines will affect fertility.”

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