PLoS ONE (Jan 2022)

Menstrual changes following COVID-19 infection: A cross-sectional study from Jordan and Iraq.

  • Mohammad A A Al-Najjar,
  • Ruaa R Al-Alwany,
  • Firas M Al-Rshoud,
  • Rana K Abu-Farha,
  • Mohammed Zawiah

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270537
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 6
p. e0270537

Abstract

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PurposeCOVID-19 infection is normally followed by several post-COVID effects. This study aimed to investigate to evaluate menstrual changes in females following COVID-19 infection, and to evaluate female perception about the effect of COVID-19 on their menstrual cycles.MethodsDuring this cross-sectional survey-based study, a convenience sample of 483 women from Jordan and from Iraq, who had infected with COVID-19 were invited to fill-out the study questionnaire.ResultsThe study was conducted on the females, with a median age 31 years old. Results showed that 47.2% of them (n = 228) suffered from a change in the number of days between two consecutive periods, as well as from a change in the amount of blood loss. Also, more than 50% of them believed that COVID-19 infection may cause changes in the amount of blood loss during the cycle (n = 375, 56.9%), and changes in the number of days between the two consecutive periods (n = 362, 54.2%). Regression analysis showed that participants with higher educational level (bachelor or higher) (Beta = -0.114, P = 0.011), and those living in Iraq (Beta = -0.166, PConclusionhis study revealed that COVID-19 infection could affect the menstrual cycle for the females. Further prospective studies should be done to confirm these findings and evaluate how long these menstrual irregularities lasted.