Side effects lab looks into impact of Covid vaccines on menstruation

Photo: Depositphotos
Photo: Depositphotos

Dutch medical side effects centre Lareb says it has received more than 1,000 reports from women whose periods have been disrupted after being vaccinated for coronavirus.

The reports range from delayed menstruation, heavier menstruation and breakthrough bleeding in women who are going through the menopause, Lareb said on Tuesday.

The reports are being analysed by the centre and as yet there is no clear link with the vaccine, Lareb said.

‘These sort of disruptions happen normally,’ director Agnes Kant told the AD. ‘But it could be that there is a side effect, possibly related to hormones. As yet, we can’t say much.’

There have been similar reports in other countries. In Britain, for example, The Times said in June that the UK’s vaccines watchdog had had over 4,000 similar notifications.

‘We’re aware some women have been reporting a change to their period cycle or symptoms during the pandemic, Sue Ward, vice president at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, told the Science Media Centre.

‘The degree to which changing hormone levels will affect someone is often informed by her psychological wellbeing at that time. We know that life events can make PMS symptoms feel worse and something as all-consuming and life-changing as a global pandemic could result in women experiencing their periods differently.’

Other experts suggest that any changes are mild and shortlived, and that the number of cases is no more than would be expected by chance.

Headaches

In total, Lareb said it had received 112,677 reports of post coronavirus vaccine side effects, most of which relate to headaches, muscle pain and fatigue.

The list includes 491 deaths, most of which were people over the age of 80. In many cases, there was not sufficient information to determine if people had underlying health conditions, Lareb said.

However, in number of cases, side effects caused by the vaccine, such as a raised temperature and nausea, could have contributed to ‘the worsening of an already fragile health situation or dormant underlying condition, whether or not due to old age,’ Lareb said.

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