Coronavirus: Pandemic stress caused changes in women's periods, new study finds

A new study has found that stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in women's periods. The study, published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, analyzed data from 354 women between the ages of 18 and 45.

From all the women surveyed, the researchers found that more than half of women reported a change in at least one area, and 12% of women reported changes in all four areas mentioned below.

Overall, more than half of the study participants reported changes in these four areas:

-Menstrual cycle length

-Period duration

-Menstrual flow

-Increased spotting

Irregular cycles can cause issues with fertility and mental health. These can also have economic and health consequences for women, said the researchers.

In the research, participants answered questions about their pandemic-related stress and self reported changes to their menstrual cycles. The time period considered was between March 2020 and May 2021.

The researchers also noted that the participants were not on birth control and were not menopausal or postmenopausal before the pandemic.

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"In the United States, women have shouldered more childcare duties during the pandemic and find COVID-19–induced changes to daily activities, along with the potential risk of COVID-19 illness, significantly more stressful than men," the study said.

Another research titled ‘Pandemic‐induced stress and obesity leading to abnormal uterine bleeding: A prospective study’ explained that some of the top reasons for the stress were continuous online classes, someone sick at home, and death of someone.

Stress can influence a woman's menstrual cycle by causing changes in how her body produces estrogen and progesterone, hormones that influence the menstrual cycle.

Additionally, the study authors noted that younger women and those with a greater mental health history reported higher stress levels.

Women who experience irregular periods should talk to their doctors and track their cycles to make sure there is nothing concerning, Linda Fan, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Yale School of Medicine, told the Post.

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The researchers also noted that longer, more frequent or heavier periods can also add to the financial stress of women, with the additional costs for feminine hygiene products.

We know that the pandemic has had negative economic impacts for a lot of people. If changes to your flow during a time of economic distress increase period-related costs – or the ‘tampon tax’ – economically, it’s a double whammy, said Martina Anto-Ocrah, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and author of the study.

India scrapped tax on sanitary pads in 2018, which was earlier at 12 percent under India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST). The move was intended to help more girls to go to school during their periods and to also increase their job prospects.