Analysis of Women's Menstrual Changes after COVID-19 Infection: a Descriptive Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: In December, 2019, a pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) emerged in Wuhan, China. Since December 2022, China has adjusted anti-epidemic policies and a large-scale COVID-19 infection has emerged. We aimed to explore the menstrual changes of women before and after infection with the COVID-19. Methods: This study was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional study. We collected data from participants infected with COVID-19 from January 1, 2023 to March 1, 2023 by issuing electronic questionnaires. Women were invited to fill out the questionnaire about their menstrual characteristic after COVID-19 infection. Results: A total of 884 women with COVID-19 infections participated in the study. 662(74.9%) participants experienced changes in one or more of menstrual characteristics. Cycle length seemed to be the characteristic most likely to change (47.6%), followed by menstrual flow (41.7%), duration of menstrual periods (29.5%), degree of dysmenorrhea (29.0%) and intermenstrual bleeding (14.9%). The main clinical manifestations were menstruation delayed (26.3%), menstrual flow decreased (25.5%), dysmenorrhea relief (21.9%) and menstruation prolonged (21.0%). And we found new intermenstrual bleeding in 8.4% participants after COVID-19 infection. The menstrual change rate of the irregular menstrual group was significantly higher than that of the regular menstrual group (73.0% vs. 62.3%, P＜0.001). Conclusions: COVID-19 infection may cause menstrual changes in most women. It is important to be aware of the menstrual changes after COVID-19 infection and to inform women about this issue.