COVID-19 is still causing havoc across various parts of the world. The worries of infections are however being partially replaced by anxiety over the potential side effects of vaccines that countries bank on as the only bullet to slay the dragon.

Across the border in Kenya, Daily Nation on April 24 ran a story that 85 women made their voices heard to the Kenyan government after they noticed menstrual disruptions post inoculation.

“My periods came a week earlier than usual and it happened after I was immunised for coronavirus. I have not been stressed lately and neither have I engaged in any sexual activity for quite some time now,” an unnamed Kenyan woman was quoted complaining.

“I need to know and wish the Health ministry could explain why they did not tell us that this would happen,” she added.

A day before that, Dr. Kate Clancy, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois also posted similar concerns on her Twitter page.

“A colleague told me she has heard from others that their periods were heavy post-vax. I’m curious whether other menstruators have noticed changes too? I’m a week and a half out from dose 1 of Moderna, got my period maybe a day or so early, and am gushing like I’m in my 20s again,” she posted.  

“Does this have to do with the way the vax response is mounting a broader inflammatory response, possibly moreso because of the lipid nanoparticle or mRNA mechanism? Either way I am fascinated!”

Her concerns mirrored a state of anxiety that many women have to contend with during the vaccination period. Hence, the big question- Are COVID-19 vaccines able to alter menstrual cycle and fertility?

Hints of disruptions

While complaints have emerged over delayed and rushed menstruation; heavy bleeding and triggered menstruation after menopause, the leads linking the vaccines to the problems remain scanty. Most deductions are just but speculative.

In an article published by ABC, a US media outlet, Dr. Akshat Jain, a hematologist at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, opines that the vaccines have inflammatory effects which in one way or another could have disrupting effects on the female hormones.

“Inflammatory reaction has been noticed with the COVID vaccine. We know that because many, including myself after the second vaccine, developed some mild flu like symptoms,” she told the media, adding:  “That inflammation has a potential or potentially can modulate estrogen response, which could be the link between certain women having heavy periods after the vaccine.’’

To corroborate these fears, on April 20, Alice Lu-Culligan a PhD student from Yale School of Medicine (USA) and Randi Hutter Epstein (also from Yale University) wrote an article on the New York Times concluding that there were no pieces of evidence implicating the COVID jabs.

But the duo also revealed that the changes in immune system—that the vaccines trigger after injections—could have effects in the uterine lining which subsequently alter the menstruation pattern.

“Since the cycle is supported by the immune system at every turn, it is possible that the vaccines, which are designed to ignite an immune response, temporarily change the normal course of events.

“For example, an activated immune system might interfere with the usual balance of immune cells and molecules in the uterus. These types of disturbances have been found in studies to contribute to changes in periods, including heavy menstrual flows,’’ they argue in the article.

No substantial links

Conversely, a study commissioned by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), titled ‘Analysis of sex hormones and menstruation in COVID-19 women of child-bearing age’ found no substantial links between the jab and menstrual disruption and probable infertility in women. After sampling 177 female patients, the January 2021 study revealed that 45 patients had menstrual volume changes, 50 had decreased volume and a prolonged cycle.

The study read on the brief conclusion: “Average sex hormone concentrations and ovarian reserve did not change significantly in COVID-19 women of child-bearing age. Nearly one-fifth of patients exhibited a menstrual volume decrease or cycle prolongation.

“The menstruation changes of these patients might be the consequence of transient sex hormone changes caused by suppression of ovarian function that quickly resume after recovery.”

The study concluded there was ‘no evidence to support that SARS-CoV-2 causes substantial impairment of fertility in female COVID-19 patients’ notwithstanding the few menstrual hitches.

 It went on to state: “Nevertheless, transient abnormal changes in menstruation were observed in some patients, along with hormone concentration changes. For COVID-19 patients with menstrual abnormalities, home observations are recommended after excluding pregnancy, which could avoid both wasting medical resources and hospital infections, especially in the current serious epidemic situation. “

It further advised that women should go for sex hormone concentration tests and ovarian function test before planning a conception.
Jab manufacturers are yet to issue detailed statements over the concerns.