AUTHOR=González María , Al-Adib Miriam , Rodríguez Ana B. , Carrasco Cristina 

TITLE=COVID-19 and menstrual-related disturbances: a Spanish retrospective observational study in formerly menstruating women

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Global Women's Health

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womens-health/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2024.1393765

DOI=10.3389/fgwh.2024.1393765

ISSN=2673-5059

ABSTRACT=Introduction: Four years after the start of the pandemic, there is limited evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the women´s health regardless of their reproductive status. Objective: The aim was to analyze the prevalence and associated factors of menstrual changes in formerly menstruating women following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Study design: A retrospective observational study of adult women in Spain was conducted during the month of December 2021 using an online survey (N= 17,512). The present analysis includes a subpopulation of SARS-CoV-2-infected and formerly menstruating women (n= 72). The collected data included general characteristics, medical history, and specific information on COVID-19. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was then performed to investigate possible associations between the occurrence of menstrual-related disturbances after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: 38.8% of participants experienced menstrual-related disturbances after COVID-19. Among these, unexpected vaginal bleeding (20.8%) was the most common menstrual related disturbance, followed by spotting (11.1%) (Table 1). Other reported changes were in the length (shorter = 12.5%) and flow (heavier = 30.3%) of menstrual bleeding in comparison to their previous experience. Regression analysis revealed that being a perimenopausal woman (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.721, CI 95%, 1.022 -21.796, p=0.047) and having a previous diagnosis of menorrhagia (AOR 5.824 CI   95%, p=0.010)  were factors associated with the event. Conclusion: These findings could help health professionals provide their patients with up-to-date scientific information to empower them to actively manage their reproductive health, especially in societies where menstrual health is still taboo.