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Menstrual Cycle Parameters Are Not Significantly Different After COVID-19 Vaccination
Thomas P. Bouchard, Mary Schneider, Madeline Schmidt, Michael Manhart, and Richard J. Fehring
Published Online: 20 Jun 2022 https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2022.0097
Background: Some studies have suggested minor changes in the menstrual cycle after COVID-19 vaccination, but more detailed analyses of the menstrual cycle are needed to evaluate more specific changes in the menstrual cycle that are not affected by survey-based recall bias.
Materials and Methods: Using a pretest–post-test quasi-experimental evaluation of menstrual cycle parameters before and after COVID-19 vaccination, we conducted an anonymous online survey of two groups of North American women who prospectively monitor their menstrual cycle parameters daily including bleeding patterns, urinary hormone levels using the ClearBlue Fertility Monitor, or cervical mucus observations. The primary outcome measures were cycle length, length of menses, menstrual volume, estimated day of ovulation (EDO), luteal phase length, and signs of ovulation. Perceived (subjective) menstrual cycle changes and stressors were also evaluated in this study as secondary outcome measures.
Results: Of the 279 women who initiated the survey, 76 met the inclusion criteria and provided 588 cycles for analysis (227 pre-vaccine cycles, 145 vaccine cycles, 216 post-vaccine cycles). Although 22% of women subjectively identified changes in their menstrual cycle, there were no significant differences in menstrual cycle parameters (cycle length, length of menses, EOD, and luteal phase length) between the pre-vaccine, vaccine, and post-vaccine cycles.
Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccines were not associated with significant changes in menstrual cycle parameters. Perceived changes by an individual woman must be compared with statistical changes to avoid confirmation bias.