Survey study, 2022
Do COVID-19 vaccines cause menstrual or premenstrual changes?
78% of vaccinated women reported menstrual or premenstrual changes after vaccination, mostly mild symptoms like increased fatigue and heavier periods. We can be confident about what women remembered, though the study relied on recall rather than real-time symptom tracking, which may affect accuracy.
What they did
Cross-sectional study surveying 14,153 women online from June to September 2021. All had received full COVID-19 vaccination at least 3 months earlier. They reported what they remembered about changes to their menstruation and premenstrual symptoms using a retrospective survey.
What they found
Of the women, 11,017 (78%) reported menstrual cycle changes. The most common premenstrual symptoms were increased fatigue (43%), abdominal bloating (37%), irritability (29%), sadness (28%), and headaches (28%). The most common menstrual changes were more bleeding (43%), more pain (41%), delayed periods (38%), fewer days of bleeding (34.5%), and shorter cycles (32%).
What it means for you
Many vaccinated women notice changes to their periods and premenstrual symptoms, though these were described as mild. The main limitation is that women were recalling past events rather than tracking symptoms as they happened, which may affect how accurately they remember.
78%
women reporting menstrual changes
43%
increased fatigue
43%
more menstrual bleeding
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual and menstrual changes reported after COVID-19 vaccination: The EVA project
- Authors
- Baena-García L, Aparicio VA, Molina-López A et al.
- Journal
- Women's health (London, England)
- Year
- 2022
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 14,153
- What was tested
- COVID-19 vaccination
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/17455057221112237
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2021
Does damask rose help reduce menstrual pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, and bloating?
Randomised trial, 2014
Does the combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium reduce menstrual symptoms and migraine?
Survey study, 2018
How common are premenstrual symptoms in female workers, and does exercise help?
Survey study, 1982
How common are premenstrual symptoms in American women, and what factors affect them?
Survey study, 2026
Do adolescents have pain in multiple body areas during periods and does this connect to other symptoms?
Survey study, 2026
Can changing your diet help with period and PMS symptoms like fatigue, mood swings and bloating?