Lack of transparency on the side effect of the menstrual cycle change
Have you experienced any changes in your menstrual cycle lately? Have you been vaccinated against COVID-19 recently? Well, if your answer to both questions is “yes”, there is a possibility that these two circumstances may be linked.
Fever. Headache. Cramps. These are the well-known side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.
But no one talked about side effects on the menstrual cycle until Dr. Kate Clancy, a biological anthropologist, posted on her Twitter account that she experienced “heavy flow” of menstruation after vaccination. Soon after, the tweet went viral, and many people commented about their experiences as well.
After the event, Dr. Katherine Lee, an active researcher for ovarian hormones and menstrual cycles, decided to conduct a survey about it, with the help of Dr. Clancy. Over 140,000 reports were received from the collaborative work of the two researchers. The responses were mixed — some people reporting that they experienced heavier flows while some experienced lighter flows than normal. Some people The survey results also demonstrated the occurrence of spotting and menstrual cramps. To their surprise, this change also occurs to trans men and women who had stopped bleeding years ago.
Researchers and doctors have stated that the change is temporary, and it will not cause long term effects to your body. They also recalled that it is difficult to perform research on this side effect because menstrual cycles vary from person to person, and from months to months. Clearly, there are other factors that may provoke a change in the menstrual cycle because it is quite complex itself.
However, the problem is not to be overlooked, and people should be warned about these menstrual cycle changes even if it only occurs to a small portion of vaccinated people.
References
Schraer, O. R. & R. (2021, May 12). Covid vaccine: Period changes could be a short-term side effect. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-56901353.
Brumfiel, G. (2021, August 9). Why reports of menstrual changes after covid vaccine are tough to study. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/08/09/1024190379/covid-vaccine-period-menstrual-cycle-research.
Published October 13, 2021
Written by Isabela Lico ~ Edited by Clara Ngume-Sone ~ Graphics by Tanya Gu
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