---
title: Does COVID-19 infection affect menstrual cycles? | Niyora
description: COVID-19 infection causes menstrual cycle changes in more than half of infected women, though most cycles return to normal within a year.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-covid-19-infection-on-menstruation-a-retrospective-study-2022/
---

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- Does COVID-19 infection affect menstrual cycles?

Study, 2022

# Does COVID-19 infection affect menstrual cycles?

COVID-19 infection causes menstrual cycle changes in more than half of infected women, though most cycles return to normal within a year.

 Moderate study design

350 women of reproductive age hospitalized with COVID-19

## What they did

Researchers followed 350 women hospitalized with COVID-19. They asked about changes to menstrual cycles before and after infection and measured stress levels.

## What they found

59.1% of women reported changes to their cycles. Of those with flow changes, 78.4% had lighter periods. 37.1% had irregular periods, with 50.8% having delays of 45 to 90 days and some having spotting between periods. 34.28% reported worsening PMS symptoms and 22.44% reported worse period pain. After 1 year, only 17.1% still had irregular cycles.

## What it means for you

COVID-19 can cause temporary disruption to menstrual cycles, but most women recover within a year. These findings apply mainly to women sick enough to be hospitalized, so results may differ for milder cases.

59.1%

women who reported cycle changes

78.4%

with flow changes who had lighter periods

17.1%

still with irregular cycles after 1 year

## About the study

Original title Effect of COVID-19 Infection on Menstruation: A Retrospective Study Authors Rajiv K Saxena, Monica Basavaraju, T Meghana Journal Journal of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Year 2022 Study design Study Participants 207 What was tested COVID-19 infection Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10006-2025](https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10006-2025)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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