--- title: Did the COVID-19 pandemic change women's menstrual cycles? | Niyora description: Three-quarters of women reported changes to their cycles during the pandemic, including heavier or longer bleeding and irregular cycles. These changes seemed url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-menstrual-cycle-and-the-covid-19-pandemic-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Did the COVID-19 pandemic change women's menstrual cycles? Survey study, 2023 # Did the COVID-19 pandemic change women's menstrual cycles? Three-quarters of women reported changes to their cycles during the pandemic, including heavier or longer bleeding and irregular cycles. These changes seemed to come from pandemic stress, not from the virus itself. Early or limited evidence 15,611 women in the UK who responded to an online survey ## What they did Online survey of 15,611 women in the UK during 2020, asking about their menstrual cycles before and during the pandemic. ## What they found 75% experienced changes in their menstrual cycles, including irregular cycles and bleeding lasting more than seven days. Longer cycle length and total bleeding duration were also more common. Over half reported worsening of premenstrual mood symptoms including low mood, anxiety, and irritability. When comparing women who had COVID infection with those who did not, there was no clear difference in cycle changes. ## What it means for you Pandemic stress and lifestyle disruption affected menstrual cycles in many women, but the virus itself was probably not the direct cause. The study relied on women remembering past cycles and was limited to UK women who used social media. 15,611 women surveyed 75% experienced menstrual cycle changes 7 days bleeding often lasted longer than this ## About the study Original title The menstrual cycle and the COVID-19 pandemic Authors Mitra A, Verbakel JY, Kasaven LS et al. Journal PloS one Year 2023 Study design Survey study Participants 19 What was tested None tested Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290413](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290413) Original abstract Background: The impact of COVID-19 virus on menstrual cycles in unvaccinated women is limited. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of changes to menstrual cycle characteristics, hormonal symptoms and lifestyle changes prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective online cross-sectional survey completed by social media users between July 2020 to October 2020. Participants were living in the United Kingdom (UK), premenopausal status and, or over 18 years of age. Main outcome(s) and measures(s): The primary outcome was to assess changes to menstrual cycle characteristics during the pandemic following the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES). Secondary outcomes included assessment of hormonal and lifestyle changes. Results: 15,611 social media users completed the survey. Of which, 75% of participants experienced a change in their menstrual cycle, with significantly greater proportions reporting irregular menstrual cycles (P<0·001), bleeding duration more than seven days (P<0·001), longer mean cycle length (P<0·001) and overall bleeding duration (P<0·001). Over half the participants reported worsening of premenstrual symptoms including low mood/depression, anxiety and irritability. When stratified according to COVID-19 infection, there was no significant difference in menstrual cycle changes. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in considerable variation in menstrual cycle characteristics and hormonal symptoms. This appears to be related to societal and lifestyle changes resulting from the pandemic, rather than to the virus itself. We believe this may have an impact on the individual, as well as national economy, healthcare, and population levels, and therefore suggest this should be taken into consideration by governments, healthcare providers and employers when developing pandemic recovery plans. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/) 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 Cohort study, 2026 What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms? 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