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Are Covid-19 Vaccines Affecting Women’s Health and Menstrual Cycles?

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin
August 22, 2021

Highlights

  • After COVID-19 vaccination it is not uncommon to have a 1- to 2-cycle irregular period as the endometrium is part of the immune system.
  • While few reported heavy bleeding during their menstrual cycle, some others reported early onset of periods with painful cramps and some had delayed periods.
  • People should not be alarmed due to it and treat it as a minor side effect of the vaccine.
  • All changes reported have been minor or temporary with no damage to fertility, hormone, or reproductive health.
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Two researchers- Kate Clancy, a human reproductive ecologist and associate professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and biological anthropologist Katharine Lee of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have collected more than 140,000 reports from people who say they’ve noticed a change in their periods after vaccination; Lee and Clancy are formally documenting those cases in an open-ended study on women’s health and reproductive systems post-vaccine.

Clancy’s took to social media after her own experience, “My period after dose one was one of the heaviest I remember having ever in my life,” she says. “I did not anticipate it blowing up to the extent that it has. A lot of emails, a lot of Instagram DMs, and a lot of tweets of people who are just baring their souls to us.”

But Dr. Beachgem, a pediatric emergency response doctor explained in a video that an irregular period, after vaccination is normal and is not detrimental to your health or fertility.

 “After COVID-19 vaccination it is not uncommon to have a 1- to 2-cycle irregular period. Your endometrium is part of your immune system, so this can definitely happen,” she explains.

Women are more hormonal than men. During ovulation, the immune system receives a sort of a ‘signal’ to prevent infectious agents from disturbing conception. The cells of the uterine linings also contain some immune cells, which could be affected by hormonal changes and create mild, inflammatory reactions. If the ovulation doesn’t happen, the vaccine could end up spelling some changes to the period cycle.

All three US manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) have denied that they have seen any irregularities in menstruation or fertility. But the early COVID 19 vaccine trials studies never spoke about reproductive health. This is a huge lapse on their part because they have just disregarded women’s health and the bodies of people with ovaries making them unseen in the clinical trials.

The good news though is that most of the irregularities seem to be short-lived. “From what we have seen so far, it appears that the changes to the menstrual cycle seem to be short-lived, just a couple of cycles,” Lee says.

While few reported heavy bleeding during their menstrual cycle, some others reported early onset of periods with painful cramps and some had delayed periods. But many others had different experiences, too with untimely spotting or bleeding (breakthrough bleeding).

“We started hearing a lot about breakthrough bleeding, from people on long-acting reversible contraception, people on gender-affirming hormones, and postmenopausal people who were years and years out from their last period, sometimes decades out,” Lee says.

However, both researchers say that these irregularities should not be taken as an anti-vaccine argument. A vaccine needs to be taken. But for awareness’ sake, people need to know if there will be an adverse effect so that they are informed and know to expect an irregularity and should not be alarmed due to it and treat it as a minor side effect of the vaccine.

Riley says she believes issues such as the effects on menstruation need to be addressed in future clinical trials of drugs and vaccines: “Because when you can’t answer those questions, you’re asking people just to believe.”

It is only to be informed, aware, and better prepared for women to expect slight changes in their menstrual cycle after ovulation but this should not be a reason for avoiding the vaccination as it is a must. And all changes reported have been minor or temporary with no damage to fertility, hormone or reproductive health. However, if symptoms seem to persist for a longer period, it is better to contact your physician.

Source: npr.org , timesofindia.indiatimes.com

For more on women’s health, periods and pregnancy, download the Infano App from Play Store.

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Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin

Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin has done her masters in Journalism & Communication and has worked as a senior journalist, editor and columnist for leading publications like The Logical Indian, Deccan Chronicle, Worldwide Media Corporation, The Bridge and Provoke.
With Infano, she hopes to create more awareness about women’s health issues. Suffering with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, she has also been advocating for its awareness through media.

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These Eco-friendly Period Products Can Change Your Monthly Cycle Entirely!

Written By: Sonali
November 2, 2020 | 11:51 PM |
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Remember the wave sanitary napkins aka pads brought when they were first launched into the market? They turned out to be extremely more comfortable than the homemade pads and were decently accessible by girls and women.

However, the constant sweating, sometimes itching and odour that it brought with it was non-negotiable — not to forget the high amount of waste that it generated — both in the form of money and plastic.

Then came tampons — tampons used to be the instant alternative to conventional pads — until they became a major reason for toxic shock syndrome (TSS) — an uncommon yet potentially fatal disease that may happen due to the use of the same tampon for extended hours. 

However, these period products are proving their worth by being an excellent alternative to pads and tampons — not to forget, being sustainable and eco-friendly at the same time.

Menstrual cups

This has to be at the top on my list. Fairly new to the Indian market, menstrual cups are loved by every single girl/ woman who has used it. Though one may find it hard to use initially, these cups are proving to be one of the best alternatives to pads and tampons. Not only can it hold menstrual blood for upto ten hours, but it also comes with a lifetime of at least ten years. Imagine the amount of money one can save with these wonder cups. Menstrual cups are not only easy on the pocket but also great for the environment as they are considered to be a sustainable and eco-friendly option.

Cloth pads

Inspired by the traditional homemade cloth pads, these cotton pads are great alternatives to the conventional disposable pads. Like homemade pads, these are also reusable, but unlike them, these are made of waterproof fabric, thus reducing the chances of any leakage. They come with wings, are super comfortable, eco-friendly and easily washable and hence easy on your pockets too.

Periods pants

Imagine waking up one day while menstruating and not worrying about changing the pads. Made up of absorbent fabric, period pants could be an excellent alternative to your regular pads — particularly, if you are someone who is blessed to have a light flow. These are apt for girls who have just started menstruating and cannot keep a count of their monthly cycles. 

Menstrual discs

Menstrual discs could be an unknown product for a lot of women, but these are equally efficient, like any other period product. Not only it lasts for up to twelve hours, but it can also let you enjoy mess-free period sex. Though these discs are not reusable, they are known for producing 60 per cent less waste than tampons which is again a great alternative to disposable menstrual products.

Menstrual sponges

Menstrual sponges are no different than normal sponges — but are designed to be inserted in order to absorb menstrual blood. They could be messy until you get the hang of them. These can be reused for up to a year, thus making them a great eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to regular plastic pads.

Have you used any of these products? Please share your experience with us and guide several other girls/ women in leading a safe waste-free cost-effective period life!

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Sonali

A 'non-9-5 desk job' ambivert geek who chooses her own audience, Sonali loves sharing stories and finding the corners where humanity still exists! She believes that every individual's story is unique and special. She loves writing about the untouched and unspoken segments of society. When not writing, you can find her listening to someone's stories or playing with dogs. Sonali values mental health and encourages people to speak their heart out!

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