A Cross-Sectional Study on Post-COVID-19 Menstrual Abnormalities in Women of Reproductive Age Group at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 infection and vaccination on all the menstrual cycle parameters in the women of reproductive age group, 18-45 years, at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A single-center, descriptive cross-sectional study was done from January 2, 2023, to June 24, 2023. Sampling was nonprobabilistic and purposeful. Participants were recruited via calls, in-person interviews, and online surveys. A total of 931 participants were recruited, of which 141 participants were eligible for the study. Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables. Pearson's chi-square test was done to compare categorical variables among different groups, and the Wilcoxon matched pair signed-rank test was done to compare the menstrual cycle patterns before and after COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Simple linear regression and multiple linear regression analysis were done wherever necessary. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 931 participants were recruited, of which 141 participants were eligible for the study. The median age was 29 years. Those who reported menstrual abnormalities were mainly of the age group 18-27 (n = 62, 44.0%), resided in an urban locality (n = 123, 87.2%), and were employed (full-time/part-time) (n = 57, 40.4%). Of the 42 participants with menstrual changes, 27 (64.3%) participants experienced changes post-COVID-19 infection before their first vaccination dose and 15 (35.7%) after the first vaccination dose. In this group, 15 (35.7%) continue to experience abnormalities in their cycles. Analysis showed that participants having severe COVID-19 symptoms were more likely to have an earlier onset of menstrual abnormalities (beta = -2.072, p=0.040). Participants with an above-normal BMI were more likely to have increased pain/cramps during menses (beta = 0.236, p=0.0.013). Participants who were students/employed (beta = -0.365, p=0.001) with an above-normal BMI (beta = 0.182, p=0.024) were more likely to experience increased mood swings/tension/irritability. On comparing the onset and duration of menstrual abnormalities in the post-COVID-19 infection and postvaccination groups, it was found that the latter group had a late-onset and short-term effect, while the former group had an early-onset and long-term effect on menses. Conclusion: Our study shows that there is evidence of the onset of menstrual irregularities following COVID-19 infection and vaccination. The study revealed COVID-19 infection and vaccination influence menstrual cycles, the former posing a higher risk, but their effects on menstruation independent of one another are to be studied further.