With the start of vaccination against covid-19, there has been an increase in consultations for specific and, in general, mild menstrual disorders. To date, no relationship has been found, but if this possibility was studied in the clinical trial phase, the concern of those affected could have been avoided.
Since the beginning of vaccination process against covid-19 and, fundamentally, as a result of receiving the second dose, in the thirteen Centers for Sexual and Reproductive Health Care (CASSYR) in the Pamplona Area they have verified “a significant increase in consultations by women for punctual menstrual disturbances, always very punctual. “This is indicated by the section chief Elena Lazaro Garcia, who clarifies that “are not medically relevant, although, at the time a query is generated, there has been a prior concern that would probably have been unnecessary with adequate information “to the people affected.
In this sense, the gynecologist explains that “just as throughout the pandemic there has been, at certain times, an increase in menstrual disorders – mainly due to stress or changes in habits: eating, physical activity …– Since the beginning of the vaccination and, above all, in relation to the second dose, there has once again been an increase in consultations that had caught our attention, “although it cannot be quantified.
There are no data, because menstrual disorders are one of the most frequent reasons for consultation, in many cases they are temporary without a justifying cause and because, in the case of vaccination, a relationship has not been described, so many women and healthcare professionals did not consider a possible association with the inoculation they had received.
What are the most frequent
“Bleeding outside of menstruation, heavier amount, pain and bleeding already in menopause”
In relation to vaccines, the most frequent menstrual alterations “have mainly been bleeding outside the rule, a little earlier than it would correspond; more abundant amount of bleeding; greater pain associated with the period; or, more rarely, bleeding after the menstrual stage of the woman has finished, already in the menopause “, it indicates.
Regarding the severity of these problems, the specialist states that “we are seeing that they are very punctual. It is around a cycle, it does not usually persist practically and, therefore, they do not pose a health problem. Bleeding or greater pain in people with already abundant or painful periods may suppose a need to consult, but only because they need some additional measure “.
However, Dr. Lázaro shows that “on this issue we are behind the information.” Thus, he points out that, when clinical trials of vaccines are carried out, “perhaps it should have been studied whether it could be frequent that there was a menstrual alteration to have been able to inform adequately”, as they do when they warn that it can cause pain in arm or fever for the first 48 hours. “Instead of going ahead and giving information on the possible effect of vaccination from the beginning, so that it is considered a normal variation, we go behind,” he illustrates.
Why it occurs
“One more expression that your immune system has been activated”
After regretting that this side effect has not been studied in the clinical trial phase, the gynecologist points out the theory that she considers most plausible of why these menstrual alterations would occur: “The endometrium, which is the layer that lines the uterus by Inside, which is shed at the beginning of each cycle and is known as a rule, it is full of immune cells. As an immune organ, changes in the rule would mean that our immune system has reacted with the vaccine. This is the explanation that seems to be charging more strength, although there would still be much to study “.
This type of problem, affirms the head of the section of the CASSYR of the Pamplona Area, does not usually require treatment: “Perhaps in some case of more abundant bleeding, to control it and not increase the risk of it resulting in anemia, but the The truth is that no physician has been able to remember a case that has required something like this. “
Asked when the doctor should be consulted for a problem of this type, she indicates that “in general, for any menstrual alteration, we always consider three cycles. If the disorder persists after three cycles, that is when it could indicate that there is something underlying that is maintaining that alteration “. However, if you have pain that you cannot control or bleeding that is very abundant in duration or quantity, even if it is occasional, you should consult. “In general, in the case of the possible relationship with vaccination, it would not be necessary to consult because it has been something specific, an expression of a changing situation in the body but not something pathological, not something that could lead to a health problem”, it states.
More feminine perspective
“We must take into account the health of half the population and how we express drugs”
As this gynecologist explains, there are drugs that can affect the menstrual cycle and, therefore, the patient should be informed about it. In this case, due to the health crisis, the very particular situation has not offered possibilities of change in the approach to the study of vaccines with respect to previous trends. “Introducing the perspective we needed there would have been very interesting, because you consider a part of the population very important and because the information that we may have now is not the same that we could have had at that time,” he says with regret, although it is aware that the pandemic “has been tremendous and they have been studying the effects that were classically said and also the serious ones to be able to commercialize the vaccines as soon as possible”.
The doctor criticizes that, when studying the drugs, “the functioning of the body of practically half of the population is not taken into account. It is true that it is changing and that perspective is being introduced little by little, but In the end, it is impossible for you to be responsible for your health – carrying, for example, more protective material if I can bleed more – if you don’t have information. ” And it is that the fact that the consequences are not serious at a clinical level, “does not mean that they are not relevant for women.” For this reason, he demands that “the health of half the population be taken into account and how we express the different effects of the drugs we take, since we know that there are very relevant differences to take into account.”
Vaccine, health protector
“In relation to menstrual health, vaccines are safe”
Regarding the safety of vaccines, Lázaro clarifies that “there is information prior to clinical trials, in trials and in subsequent studies by which no alteration of fertility or risk of abortion has been found in relation to vaccination.” He adds that, with regard to menstrual health, “we could say that vaccines are safe. Covid-19 can also cause menstrual alterations by different mechanisms.” Therefore, it concludes that “considering the possible harmful effects of covid-19, the best way to protect health in general and the menstrual cycle in particular would be through vaccination in conjunction with the rest of the recommended measures.”
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