--- title: Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect menstrual cycles and PMS symptoms? description: Yes. The study found a clear link between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes, with more changes in certain age groups and those with different p url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/coronavirus-disease-2019-vaccination-and-menstrual-cycle-changes-a-cross-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect menstrual cycles and PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 # Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect menstrual cycles and PMS symptoms? Yes. The study found a clear link between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes, with more changes in certain age groups and those with different period patterns. Early or limited evidence 1208 women of reproductive age in Abha City, Saudi Arabia ## What they did Researchers surveyed 1208 women of reproductive age in Abha City, Saudi Arabia from January to June 2022. They asked about changes to menstrual cycles, PMS symptoms, and conception delays after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. ## What they found A clear link was found between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes. Mood swings and lower back pain were the most common PMS symptoms reported. Age, whether periods were regular or irregular, and usual bleeding volume were linked to changes in the menstrual cycle after vaccination. Of 176 women asked about conception delays, 40% reported a 6-month delay after vaccination. ## What it means for you Women experienced menstrual cycle changes after COVID-19 vaccination. These changes were more likely in women of certain ages and those with different period patterns. However, this study cannot prove the vaccine caused these changes - it only shows they occurred together. The 6-month conception delay figure comes from a smaller group of 176 women. 1208 Women surveyed 66.9% With menarche before age 13 40% (of 176) With 6-month conception delay ## About the study Original title Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes: A cross-sectional study on females of reproductive age in Saudi Arabia Authors Eskandar M, Alassim A, Riaz F et al. Journal Medicine Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 1,208 What was tested COVID-19 vaccination (observed, not assigned by researchers) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000041656](https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000041656) Original abstract Data supporting the evidence of changes in the menstrual cycle and premenstrual symptoms associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is quite scarce. To determine the association between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes and its relationship with different types of vaccines among women of reproductive age in Abha City, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to June 2022, among participants from Asser region of Saudi Arabia by using a self-administered questionnaire through an electronic survey. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0. Among 1208 study subjects, majority (66.9%) of females had menarche at the age of <13 years, 17.2% had irregular periods, and 24.8% reported an average regularity of periods (23-35 days). A statistically significant association was found among females who experienced a change in their menstrual cycle after receiving COVID-19 vaccine. Mood swings and lower back pain were common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Only 15% females reported a delay in conception. Out of 176 females, 40% showed 6 month delay in conception after receiving vaccine. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, regularity of periods, and usual volume of bleeding were significantly associated with changes in the menstrual cycle after vaccination. The relationship between COVID-19 vaccine and associated changes on the menstrual cycle and premenstrual syndrome was established in our study. Further research is needed to produce concrete evidence regarding its relationship to eliminate vaccine hesitancy among women. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Study, 2026 What coping strategies help women manage PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 Is PMS worse in girls living through violence and insecurity? Cohort study, 2017 How common is PMS in high school students, and what symptoms and problems does it cause? Survey study, 2026 Why is understanding PMS awareness in teenage girls important? Survey study, 2026 Do difficult childhood experiences lead to worse PMS symptoms as an adult? Survey study, 2026 How many teenage girls in Nepal have PMS and how does it affect them? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗