Coronavirus vaccine side-effects: Vaccine-related changes to menstrual cycle should be investigated, say experts

Due to the emergence of new variants and an increasing possibility of a third COVID wave, it is extremely important that we get ourselves vaccinated and convince vaccine hesitant individuals to get their dose of COVID vaccine too.

However, all vaccines are followed by side effects that are mostly harmless and only indicate your body's immune response to the vaccines. While fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and pain at the injection site are some of the most common side effects, recent reports suggest that COVID-19 vaccines can also bring changes to menstrual cycles.

Whether or not COVID vaccines bring about changes in the menstrual cycle is a highly debated topic. However, a recent report published in the peer-reviewed British Medical Journal has stated that there might in fact be a possible link between changes to menstrual cycles and COVID vaccines and that the matter needs further investigation.

The author of the editorial, Dr Victoria Male, from Imperial College London, associates the problem with body's immune response, rather than something in the vaccine.

It has been said that over 30,000 vaccinated women have reported experiencing period problems, including changes to their menstrual cycle. The reports were made to the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) surveillance scheme, which was created in public interest to report adverse side effects.

However, MHRA has denied the claims and says that it does not support a link between the vaccines and the side effects.

Read more: Coronavirus vaccination: Why are women more prone to COVID vaccine side effects than men

Besides coming down with a fever, sore arm and joint pain, the COVID vaccines are said to alter menstrual cycles and period too.

Delayed period, heavier or unexpected bleeding are some of the suspected side effects of the COVID vaccines on women. Although, such changes in the menstrual cycle are yet to be acknowledged as a vaccine side effect, experts have demanded an investigation regarding the same.

As of now, side effects from COVID vaccines are not worrying or concerning and remain to be mild.

That said, changes to menstrual cycle, while may alarm many women, given the heavy bleeding or delayed period, is not a matter of concern. As per vaccinated women, who reported these side effects claimed that the changes were temporary and that their period returned to normal the next immediate cycle.

The rise in the number of Delta variant infections have become a major source of concern. Breakthrough infections are on the rise and people have become more sceptical of vaccine efficacy.

However, considering that the virus can evade vaccine immunity, unvaccinated individuals remain to be at a greater risk.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated individuals are over 10 times more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19 and over 10 times more likely to die from it as compared to their vaccinated counterpart.

In the end, it is all about weighing the risks.