It has been just about one year since the first person was given a Covid-19 vaccine. In that time, more than eight billion doses have been administered. The rollout of the vaccines from five drug companies came after a study of their safety and efficacy. Effects on the menstrual cycle were not a part of that research, but many are speculating their Covid-19 shots have contributed to changes they have noticed in their bodies and cycle that include heavy bleeding and missed periods.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded grants to five institutions to conduct research on the links between the vaccine and menstruation. Boston University, Harvard Medical School, Michigan State University, and Oregon Health and Science University will participate, led by the gynecology team from Johns Hopkins University. “This research will help us better understand if there’s a real link between the COVID-19 vaccines and these menstrual changes, or if it’s something else, such as lifestyle changes or pandemic-related stress,” says lead investigator Mostafa Borahay, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Through a collaboration with Clue, a period and ovulation tracking app, we will gather unidentifiable data from users about their menstrual cycle before and following COVID vaccination. -Malak El Sabeh, M.D.
Participants in the study must be between 18 and 55 years old and be willing to receive their first vaccines or a booster. If you are interested in learning more about the study and whether you might be a candidate, you can find more information on the Covidmenses.org website.
