The Effect of COVID-19 on the Menstrual Cycle of Female Medical Staff: A Cross-sectional Survey in China

Abstract

Abstract Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can affect women 's health. This study aimed to investigate the association between Menopathy, COVID-19 pandemic-related anxiety, sleep dysfunction and other factors among female medical staff. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted via administrating online questionnaires to female medical staff in China from February to May 2022. The study includes 160 women aged between 18–45 years old. The questionnaires contain sociodemographic characteristics, medical and reproductive history, lifestyle information of participants, Rating Scale for Clinical Manifestation of Menopathy (SCMM), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Sleep Dysfunction Rating Scale (SDRS). Data were analyzed using chi-square, t-tests, and linear regression analysis. Results A total of 160 female medical staff were randomly selected in this research, 7 of whom scored less than 3 points, 85 of whom scored more than 2 points and less than 12 points, and 68 of whom scored more than 11 points on the total score of SCMM. The score of dizziness and tinnitus was significantly higher during than before the COVID-19 pandemic, and scores of its following clinical symptoms of Menopathy: hypaphrodisia, dim complexion, abnormal urination, languidness, dim menstruation, thin menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and empty or saggy lower abdomen (p < 0.05). However, the score of vaginal bleeding quantity was significantly higher before than during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.05). The score of vaginal bleeding quantity of the female medical staff was significantly lower in the cabin hospitals than others, and the same is true for vaginal bleeding duration (all p < 0.05). Besides, the findings of the univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis revealed a link between consistent exercise, the underlying illness, the SDRS score, the SAS score, and the total score of SCMM (p < 0.05). Conclusions In this study, we found that menstruation in female health staff was affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, where regular exercise and good physical condition were protective factors, while anxiety and insomnia were risk factors for regular menstruation.