Can the COVID Vaccine Cause Irregular Periods or Postmenopausal Bleeding?
Recent research shows that the COVID-19 vaccine can cause menstrual irregularities and postmenopausal bleeding. These symptoms typically resolve on their own within a few weeks.
There have been discussions lately on internet forums and social media about how the COVID-19 vaccine affects menstruation.
Recent research suggests the COVID-19 vaccine can cause menstrual irregularities. But these irregularities typically only occur in the weeks immediately after vaccination.
The COVID-19 vaccine may also be connected to postmenopausal bleeding.
Menopause happens when you’ve gone 1 year without a menstrual period. During the years leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, many people experience irregular menstrual cycles.
If you’re wondering whether the menstrual changes you’re experiencing are from perimenopause, the COVID-19 vaccine, or something else, here’s what you need to know.
Menstrual cycles can differ significantly from person to person. They can change across a person’s lifetime too. This is especially true during perimenopause, when inconsistent cycles are the norm.
People have reported various menstrual irregularities (and postmenopausal changes) after receiving their COVID-19 vaccines. Some of these reports are anecdotal, but others are backed up by research.
In the United Kingdom, 30,000 reports of menstrual irregularities and postmenopausal bleeding were sent to the Yellow Card adverse events reporting site before September 2021.
These numbers are actually quite low when compared with the number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 and the standard presence of menstrual irregularities.
Most people who report menstrual changes after being vaccinated against COVID-19 returned to their regular cycle within 2 months — though in some cases, reported changes were more long lasting.
In large surveys of vaccinated people, all types of COVID-19 vaccines appeared to contribute to menstrual abnormalities.
Did you know?
The average menstrual cycle (counting from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period) lasts 24 to 38 days.