The association of COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual health: A period-tracking app-based cohort study

Background

In initial COVID-19 clinical trials, menstrual health was not formally monitored, yet anecdotal reports of menstruation changes surfaced on social media. This study aims to assess the association between COVID-19 vaccines and menstruation using Clue, a period-tracking application.

Study design

A survey assessing demographics, menstrual health, stress levels, and COVID-19 vaccination was sent to Clue users between 12/7/2021 and 2/9/2022. Inclusion criteria were (1) 18 years or older (2) currently menstruating (3) not pregnant or breastfeeding since 1/2020. Menstrual data was collected for each participant. Users with cycle lengths more than 90 days were excluded. Cycle lengths were calculated for the 6-month average pre-vaccination (PRIOR), the cycle during which vaccination was administered (DURING), the cycle following DURING (AFTER1), and the cycle following AFTER1 (AFTER2). For periods, individuals were stratified based on whether vaccination was received during their menstrual period (DURING). Period lengths were additionally calculated for the 6-month average pre-vaccination (PRIOR), the first period following vaccination (AFTER1), and the period following AFTER1 (AFTER2). For unvaccinated participants, an index date (4/1/2022) was used to similarly designate menstrual cycles and periods. For each participant, cycle length changes for DURING, AFTER1, and AFTER2 compared to PRIOR were determined. Student’s t-test compared the mean of these changes between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.

Results

Of 7,559 participants, 6,897 (91 %) were vaccinated. Compared to PRIOR, individuals vaccinated during their menstrual period demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the DURING period length, but not AFTER1 (p = 0.463) and AFTER2 (p = 0.692). No statistically significant changes were observed in period lengths of those vaccinated in between periods or in cycle lengths overall.

Conclusion

A small but statistically significant change in period length was observed only in individuals vaccinated for COVID-19 during their menstrual period. Providers can better counsel menstruating individuals to reduce vaccine misinformation.