--- title: How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect women's menstrual cycles and symptoms? description: Nearly half of women reported worsening of their PMS symptoms during the pandemic. Many also reported changes in their menstrual bleeding, increased period pa url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-women-s-reproductive-health-2021/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect women's menstrual cycles and symptoms? Survey study, 2021 # How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect women's menstrual cycles and symptoms? Nearly half of women reported worsening of their PMS symptoms during the pandemic. Many also reported changes in their menstrual bleeding, increased period pain, and missed periods. Moderate study design 1031 women, average age 37 years ## What they did A study of 1031 women conducted through an anonymous online survey in September 2020. Women reported on their menstrual cycles before and during the pandemic, their symptoms, lifestyle changes, stress levels, and mental health. ## What they found 483 women (53%) reported worsening premenstrual symptoms. 100 women (18%) reported new heavy bleeding they had not experienced before. 173 women (30%) reported new painful periods. 72 women (9%) reported missed periods who had not previously missed periods, with a median of 2 missed periods. Women experienced more stress from work (499 women, 48%), difficulty accessing healthcare (254 women, 25%), money problems (201 women, 19%), difficulties with homeschooling (191 women, 19%), and family conflict (170 women, 16%). Women also reported increased anxiety, poor sleep, binge eating, and loneliness. ## What it means for you The stress and disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared to worsen PMS symptoms and menstrual problems in many women. This study relied on women remembering and self-reporting, so the numbers may not be completely accurate. The study was done in 2020, so effects may have changed since then. 1031 Women surveyed 483 (53%) Women with worsening PMS symptoms during pandemic 173 (30%) Women with new painful periods during pandemic ## About the study Original title The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women's Reproductive Health Authors Phelan N, Behan LA, Owens L Journal Frontiers in endocrinology Year 2021 Study design Survey study Participants 1,031 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.642755](https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.642755) Original abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the lives of the global population. It is known that periods of stress and psychological distress can affect women's menstrual cycles. We therefore performed an observational study of women's reproductive health over the course of the pandemic thus far. Materials and methods: An anonymous digital survey was shared by the authors via social media in September 2020. All women of reproductive age were invited to complete the survey. Results: 1031 women completed the survey. Mean age was 36.7 ± 6.6 years (range, 15-54). 693/70% reported recording their cycles using an app or diary. 233/23% were using hormonal contraception. 441/46% reported a change in their menstrual cycle since the beginning of the pandemic. 483/53% reported worsening premenstrual symptoms, 100/18% reported new menorrhagia (p = 0.003) and 173/30% new dysmenorrhea (p < 0.0001) compared to before the pandemic. 72/9% reported missed periods who not previously missed periods (p = 0.003) and the median number of missed periods was 2 (1-3). 17/21% of those who "occasionally" missed periods pre-pandemic missed periods "often" during pandemic. 467/45% reported a reduced libido. There was no change in the median cycle length (28 days) or days of bleeding (5) but there was a wider variability of cycle length (p = 0.01) and a 1 day median decrease in the minimum (p < 0.0001) and maximum (p = 0.009) cycle length. Women reported a median 2 kg increase in self-reported weight and a 30-min increase in median weekly exercise. 517/50% of women stated that their diet was worse and 232/23% that it was better than before the pandemic. 407/40% reported working more and 169/16% were working less. Women related a significant increase in low mood (p < 0.0001), poor appetite (p < 0.0001), binge eating (p < 0.0001), poor concentration (p < 0.0001), anxiety (p < 0.0001), poor sleep (p < 0.0001), loneliness (p < 0.0001) and excess alcohol use (p < 0.0001). Specific stressors reported included work stress (499/48%), difficulty accessing healthcare (254/25%), change in financial (201/19%) situation, difficulties with home schooling (191/19%) or childcare (99/10%), family or partner conflict (170/16%), family illness or bereavement (156/15%). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the reproductive health of women. The long term health implications of this are yet to be determined and future studies should address this. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Libido and sexual function](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sexual-function/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Apps and digital interventions](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-digital-health/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/) 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 Case-control study, 2014 How common is severe period pain and what causes it? Interview study, 2024 How do young women use period tracker apps to manage their menstrual cycles? Lab study, 2023 Does sleep change across the menstrual cycle? Cohort study, 2023 Can we predict which nurses will get PMS based on their lifestyle and work conditions? Study, 1993 Do birth control pills change PMS symptoms? Study, 2026 How can lifestyle changes help reduce premenstrual syndrome? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗