Impact of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination on menstrual
bleeding quantity: an observational cohort study
Abstract
Objective Assess whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination
impacts menstrual bleeding quantity. Design Retrospective cohort Setting
Five global regions Populations Vaccinated and unvaccinated regularly
cycling individuals using the digital fertility-awareness application
“Natural Cycles”. Methods We used prospectively collected menstrual
cycle data and multivariable longitudinal Poisson GEE models,
multivariable multinomial logistic regression models, and calculated the
adjusted difference between vaccination groups. All regression models
were adjusted for confounders. Outcome measures Mean number of heavy
bleeding days (fewer, no change, more) and changes in bleeding quantity
(less, no change, more) at three time points (first dose, second dose,
and post-exposure menses). Results We included 9,555 individuals (7,401
vaccinated, 2,154 unvaccinated). About 2/3 of individuals reported no
change in the number of heavy bleeding days regardless of vaccination
status. After adjusting for confounders, there were no significant
differences in the number of heavy bleeding days by vaccination status.
A larger proportion of vaccinated individuals experienced an increase in
total bleeding quantity (34.5% unvaccinated, 38.4% vaccinated; 4.0%
[0.7, 7.2%] adjusted difference). This translates to an estimated
40 additional people per 1,000 normally cycling individuals who
experience more total bleeding quantity following the first vaccine dose
due to vaccination. Differences resolved in the cycle post-exposure.
Conclusion A small increase in the probability of more total bleeding
quantity occurs following the first COVID-19 vaccine dose which resolved
the cycle post-vaccination cycle. Total number of heavy bleeding days
did not differ by vaccination status. Our findings can reassure the
public that any changes are small and transie