"Abstract
Background: Vaccination can have an impact on menstruation, and this impact may be more notable in women with inflammatory gynecological pathologies such as endometriosis.
Objectives: We aimed to investigate the impact of mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on menstrual cycle–related symptoms in women with endometriosis and assess the effect of hormonal therapy on potential SARS-CoV-2 vaccination-induced menstrual changes.
Design: A total of 848 women who received at least two doses of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines were prospectively recruited: 407 with endometriosis (endometriosis group) and 441 healthy controls (non-endometriosis group).
Methods: Data regarding demographics, clinical characteristics, hormonal treatment, and menstrual-associated symptoms in the first and second cycle after vaccination were collected through an online survey.
Results: A similar percentage of patients in both the endometriosis and the non-endometriosis group self-reported menstrual-associated changes the first (52.6% versus 48.8%, respectively) and second cycle after vaccination (29.0% versus 28.1%, respectively). Although the total symptoms recorded were not different between the two groups, several specific symptoms were statistically more frequent in the endometriosis group. These were pain disorders and fatigue in the first cycle after vaccination and pain disorders, menstrual headache and fatigue in the second cycle after vaccination. Bleeding frequency/regularity disorders were found to be more frequent in the non-endometriosis group in the first cycle after vaccination...
Introduction
... Generally, vaccine clinical trials do not adequately monitor and collect menstrual-related issues, and no clinical trial evaluating SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has provided information on menstrual outcomes postvaccinaton. Recently, several studies evaluated menstrual-related issues associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, reporting abnormalities in menstrual patterns (early/late onset, dysmenorrhea, and heavier bleeding, among others)...
The menstrual cycle is a reflection of the general health status and fertility of women... [T]he impact of vaccination on the menstrual cycle could be more notable in women with inflammatory gynecological pathologies, such as endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common condition affecting 10%–15% of women of reproductive age, and it usually presents cyclical or perimenstrual symptoms, such as dysmenorrhea, ovulation pain, and abnormal bleeding. In addition, it has been suggested that endometriosis could affect susceptibility to COVID-19."
© The Author(s) 2023.
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