Published date: Jun 08 2024

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 22, Issue No. 4

Pages: 283–294

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v22i4.16389

Fahimeh RanjbarNursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Shima HaghaniNursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Motahareh AghashahiSchool of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Maryam Gharachehgharacheh.m@gmail.comNursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Some women experienced alterations in their menstrual cycles during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in menstrual cycles among Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1500 women of childbearing age referred to healthcare centers in Tehran, Iran from April-November 2022. Participants were selected using the stratified sampling method. Data were collected via a questionnaire covering information on menstrual cycle, COVID- 19 infection, and COVID-19 vaccination status. The study’s outcomes focused on menstrual changes by evaluating cycle regularity, duration, and symptoms based on participant-reported observations.

Results: The findings revealed that the pattern of menstrual change during the pandemic occurred in the form of a shorter interval in 8.6%, and longer interval in 8.9%, shorter duration in 10.4%, longer duration in 9.4%, heavier bleeding in 12.3%, lighter bleeding in 14.7%. The chance of menstrual changes in women who were infected with COVID-19 was 54% higher than that of women who were not infected, and the chance of menstrual changes in women who received 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine was 1.5 times higher than women who had not been vaccinated.

Conclusion: Our research revealed a high incidence of menstrual changes among Iranian women of childbearing age during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare providers should be knowledgeable about the menstrual changes associated with COVID-19 infection and vaccination to provide information and support to affected women.

Key words: Menstrual cycle, Menstrual irregularities, COVID-19, Vaccine.

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