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. 2022 Jun 29;17(6):e0270537.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270537. eCollection 2022.

Menstrual changes following COVID-19 infection: A cross-sectional study from Jordan and Iraq

Mohammad A A Al-Najjar  1 , Ruaa R Al-Alwany  1 , Firas M Al-Rshoud  2 , Rana K Abu-Farha  3 , Mohammed Zawiah  4   5
Affiliations

Menstrual changes following COVID-19 infection: A cross-sectional study from Jordan and Iraq

Mohammad A A Al-Najjar et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Purpose: COVID-19 infection is normally followed by several post-COVID effects. This study aimed to investigate to evaluate menstrual changes in females following COVID-19 infection, and to evaluate female perception about the effect of COVID-19 on their menstrual cycles.

Methods: During this cross-sectional survey-based study, a convenience sample of 483 women from Jordan and from Iraq, who had infected with COVID-19 were invited to fill-out the study questionnaire.

Results: The study was conducted on the females, with a median age 31 years old. Results showed that 47.2% of them (n = 228) suffered from a change in the number of days between two consecutive periods, as well as from a change in the amount of blood loss. Also, more than 50% of them believed that COVID-19 infection may cause changes in the amount of blood loss during the cycle (n = 375, 56.9%), and changes in the number of days between the two consecutive periods (n = 362, 54.2%). Regression analysis showed that participants with higher educational level (bachelor or higher) (Beta = -0.114, P = 0.011), and those living in Iraq (Beta = -0.166, P<0.001) believed that COVID-19 has lower tendency to cause menstrual changes. In addition, non-married females (Beta = 0.109, P = 0.017), and those who are current smokers (Beta = 0.091, P = 0.048) believed that COVID-19 has higher tendency to cause menstrual changes.

Conclusion: his study revealed that COVID-19 infection could affect the menstrual cycle for the females. Further prospective studies should be done to confirm these findings and evaluate how long these menstrual irregularities lasted.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Participants’ perception towards the impact of COVID-19 infection on the menstrual change (n = 483).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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