Infectious Disease

NIH is funding research to investigate the link between COVID-19 vaccine and changes in menstrual flow

09/21/2021

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Bianchi and Zahn do not report any relevant financial information. Male reports receiving research grants from Borne and the Wellcome Trust; Receiving payments from the University of Cambridge and the University of Leeds; and royalties from their contribution to Immunology 9th Edition.

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The NIH has granted five U.S. universities $ 1.67 million to research a possible link between COVID-19 vaccination and changes in menstruation, the duration of such changes, and the underlying mechanisms.

According to an article in the BMJ, health officials in the UK received more than 30,000 reports of “short-term” changes in the menstrual cycle and unexpected vaginal bleeding shortly after receiving one of the three COVID-19 vaccines. In the States, there have been “anecdotal reports of temporary changes in menstrual patterns in people recently vaccinated against COVID-19.” Christopher Zahn, MD, Vice president of practice activities for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), said Healio Primary Care.

The NIH said five U.S. universities are investigating a possible link between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual changes, how long such changes can occur, and the underlying mechanisms. Photo source: Adobe Stock

According to the NIH, there can be several reasons for these types of menstrual events.

“Immune responses to a COVID-19 vaccine could interfere with the interaction between immune cells and signals in the uterus, leading to temporary changes in the menstrual cycle,” said an NIH press release. “Other factors that can cause menstrual changes are pandemic stress, lifestyle changes related to the pandemic, and SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

The new NIH-funded projects will build on previously published studies and use data from menstrual tracking applications, the NIH said in the press release. The cohorts will include women from underrepresented populations. A project will focus exclusively on teenagers, the agency said.

“These rigorous scientific studies will improve our understanding of the potential effects of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation, give menstruating people more information about what to expect after vaccination, and potentially reduce vaccination hesitation.” Diana W. Bianchi, MD, NIH director Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development said in the press release.

ACOG welcomed the efforts of the NIH.

“ACOG supports the special call for research by [NIH] focused on this topic and we will continue to monitor and evaluate all available evidence related to our clinical guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination, “said Zahn.

Victoria Male, PhD, Author of the article in the BMJ and lecturer in reproductive immunology in the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College London, emphasized the importance of such studies in reducing vaccination hesitation.

“Failure to thoroughly investigate reports of post-vaccination menstrual changes is likely to fuel these fears,” she wrote.

“If a link between vaccination and menstrual changes is confirmed, this information enables people to plan potentially changed cycles,” continued Male. “Clear and trustworthy information is especially important for those who depend on being able to predict their menstrual cycle in order to achieve or avoid pregnancy.”

Last month, the North American Society of Child and Adolescent Gynecology recognized the reports of irregular menstrual cycles following the COVID-19 vaccination.

Nonetheless, the organization wrote that “all children, adolescents and young adults eligible for vaccination should be offered their choice of available and approved COVID-19 vaccines”.

Male also noted that the UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency found that patients who have had menstrual changes or new postmenopausal vaginal bleeding over multiple cycles after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination “Should be treated according to standard clinical guidelines”. for these conditions. ”

References:

ACOG. Considerations for COVID-19 vaccination for obstetric and gynecological care. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/covid-19-vaccination-considerations-for-obstetric-gynecologic-care. Accessed September 14, 2021.

NIH. NIH funds studies to evaluate the potential effects of COVID-19 vaccination on menstruation. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/news/083021-COVID-19-vaccination-menstruation. Accessed September 14, 2021.

Male V. The BMJ. 2021; doi: 10.1136 / bmj.n.2211.

Talib H. et al. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2021; doi: 10.1016 / j.pag.2021.05.008.

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