Changes in menstrual cycles among Iranian women during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Background: Some women experienced alterations in their menstrual cycles during the Coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) pandemic. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in menstrual cycles among Iranian women during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included ۱۵۰۰ women of childbearing age referred to healthcare centers in Tehran, Iran from April-November ۲۰۲۲. Participants were selected using the stratified sampling method. Data were collected via a questionnaire covering information on menstrual cycle, COVID-۱۹ infection, and COVID-۱۹ vaccination status. The study's outcomes focused on menstrual changes by evaluating cycle regularity, duration, and symptoms based on participant-reported observations. Results: The findings revealed that the pattern of menstrual change during the pandemic occurred in the form of a shorter interval in ۸.۶%, and longer interval in ۸.۹%, shorter duration in ۱۰.۴%, longer duration in ۹.۴%, heavier bleeding in ۱۲.۳%, lighter bleeding in ۱۴.۷%. The chance of menstrual changes in women who were infected with COVID-۱۹ was ۵۴% higher than that of women who were not infected, and the chance of menstrual changes in women who received ۳ doses of COVID-۱۹ vaccine was ۱.۵ times higher than women who had not been vaccinated. Conclusion: Our research revealed a high incidence of menstrual changes among Iranian women of childbearing age during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. Healthcare providers should be knowledgeable about the menstrual changes associated with COVID-۱۹ infection and vaccination to provide information and support to affected women.

Keywords:

Menstrual cycle , Menstrual irregularities , COVID-۱۹ , Vaccine. , سیکل قاعدگی , بی نظمی های قاعدگی , کووید-۱۹ , واکسن.