Survey study, 2023
Did COVID-19 affect menstrual cycles in Saudi women?
Limited effects for most women. 75.8% did not have heavy periods and 54.6% did not miss periods during the pandemic. About 61.5% reported some PMS changes. These findings are fairly confident but come from only one city.
What they did
Cross-sectional online surveys and phone interviews with 421 women aged 19 to 45 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from January to April 2022. They answered questions about menstrual bleeding, pain, PMS, and sexual desire during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What they found
Most women reported stable periods. 75.8% did not have heavy periods, 54.6% did not have unpleasant periods, and 54.6% did not miss periods. 61.5% reported changes in PMS symptoms. 88.1% had no change in sexual desire. Among 125 women with heavy periods, only 18.4% (23 women) reported changes. Among 239 women without period pain before the pandemic, only 3.8% (9 women) developed pain during it.
What it means for you
For most women in Jeddah, COVID-19 did not greatly disrupt menstrual periods. Small shifts in PMS were noted. The main limits are that only one city in Saudi Arabia was studied and pregnant women and those with existing gynecological problems were excluded.
75.8%
did not have heavy periods
61.5%
reported PMS changes
3.8%
developed period pain during pandemic
About the study
- Original title
- The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Menstrual Cycle in Saudi Females in Jeddah City
- Authors
- Nedaa Mohammed Bahkali, Reham Ahmad Alsharif, Dana Sawan et al.
- Journal
- International Journal of Women s Health and Reproduction Sciences
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 125
- What was tested
- COVID-19 exposure (not a treatment trial)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.15296/ijwhr.2024.8179