Menstrual Irregularities after COVID-19 Vaccination: Exploring the Hindrances in Vaccine Compliance

Aim and background: We aim to describe the changes in the menstrual patterns as perceived by women after COVID-19 vaccination, association of postvaccination menstrual abnormalities with demographic profile of women and the type of vaccine administered.Methods: A total of 271 females aged 15-50 years with previously normal menstrual cycles and vaccinated against COVID-19 participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study.The participants filled a prevalidated, structured, physical questionnaire sheet comprising questions pertaining to the demographic details, type of vaccine used, and menstrual characteristics postvaccination.The responses of the participants were recorded, coded, and analyzed using statistical tests of significance.Results: About 17.7% of participants suffered alterations in the menstrual cycle within 6 months after vaccination.Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) was the most frequently observed menstrual abnormality (39.6%).There was a significantly higher occurrence of postvaccination menstrual problems among unemployed females (45.8%, = 39.718,p < 0.001), women of urban background (43.8%, = 6.764, p = 0.034), and women with greater mean family income (6.37 4.10 vs 4.16 3.00; t = 4.307; p < 0.001).There was no significant association of menstrual irregularities with the type of vaccine administered ( = 0.900, p = 0.343).The menstrual disturbances that did occur resolved within 6 months in 85% of women.Conclusion: Postvaccination COVID-19 menstrual abnormalities occurred in one-fifth of the participants in this study.Most of the irregularities were short-lived and lasted for less than 6 months.Women should be counseled regarding this plausible consequence of COVID-19 vaccination.Clinical significance: Inclusion of adequate counseling during the vaccination process regarding self-limiting menstrual irregularities can eliminate the anxiety of women undergoing these symptoms consequent to vaccination.Taking history of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with recent-onset abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) can be the missing bits of the puzzle to solve the etiology of AUB.