Covid-19 Vaccine & Menstruation
As possible side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine, effects such as fever, headache, and pain for a few days in the vaccinated arm are known.
It is said that there may be changes in the menstrual cycle among the unknown vaccine side effects.
Even though they are not listed among the side effects, there are many people who experience changes in their menstrual cycles after vaccination, as many people report both on social media and to health professionals: Early menstruation, heavier menstruation, irregular menstruation...
We cannot comment on the scientific accuracy of these statements, as there is no study concluded on the vaccine and menstrual relationship; but we are getting news that this situation may change in the near future. A researcher from Boston University began investigating whether the Covid-19 vaccines have an effect on menstruation.
Post-vaccination side effects may be caused by immune cells found in the uterine wall.
There are theories as to what might cause changes in the menstrual cycle. It is written that the vaccine can also affect cellular processes in the uterus and ovaries, as it triggers an immune system response. As in many parts of the body, there are immune cells in the uterine wall. It is written that many chemical signals that occur in the body after the vaccination can "notify" these immune cells, and that the uterine wall may be broken down and shed through bleeding, even if it is not yet time upon the news. Scientists also underline that this process is not linked to miscarriage. There are also other vaccines that affect the menstrual cycle: the flu vaccine and the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. It is stated that these effects are not long-term.
The important thing is to understand that this (if proven) side effect is a natural consequence of the immune response to the vaccine (and necessary for the vaccine to work) rather than any vaccine component. There is also an independent study in which menstrual irregularity is observed in a quarter of people who get sick with Covid-19.
The main worrying issue is that menstruating individuals are still being ignored.
The fact that the menstrual irregularity side effect of the vaccine has not yet been studied in depth does not worry many experts. Reported histories indicate that the irregularity in the menstrual cycle is rather short-lived. This seems likely to register as a new disregard for the female body, rather than cast any shadows on the vaccine's safety. We see that the overlooked side effect is related to individuals who are menstruating. So what would it matter if a few cycles of probable (and disturbing but insignificant) changes in my period were included in the official list of side effects? The rumors growing around the Covid-19 vaccine and menstruation could have been prevented from evolving into larger conspiracy theories, and its use as one of the anti-vaccine arguments could have been reduced.
Let's remember that prejudice and fear about vaccines are born from false and inadequate information.
