New Research Links Long Covid to Menstrual Changes in Women

Research has revealed that women suffering from long Covid experience longer and heavier menstrual periods compared to those who have never been infected with the virus. This significant finding emerges as a new strain of Covid, named Stratus, begins to spread in the UK, intensifying concerns over potential health impacts this winter.

The study indicates that the severity of long Covid symptoms varies throughout the menstrual cycle, intensifying around the time of menstruation. Experts estimate that long Covid affects approximately 30% more women than men, underscoring the importance of understanding the condition’s implications on women’s health. The researchers express hope that these findings will lead to targeted treatments for women experiencing menstrual disturbances as a result of long Covid.

Research findings were published in the journal Nature Communications, following an analysis conducted by scientists from the University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford, and University of Montpellier. They examined data from an online survey involving over 10,000 women in the UK, conducted between March and May 2021. The study involved more than 1,000 women with long Covid, 1,700 who had recovered from acute Covid infection, and 9,000 individuals who had not contracted the virus.

The results indicated that women with long Covid reported experiencing not only longer and heavier periods but also increased bleeding between periods compared to those who had never been infected. In contrast, those who had recovered from a short-term Covid illness experienced minimal disruption to their menstrual cycles.

Dr. Jackie Maybin, a reader and consultant gynaecologist at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Reproductive Health, emphasized the need for immediate attention to menstrual disturbances in women with long Covid. She stated, “Heavier, longer periods can result in iron deficiency. Given the symptoms that those with long Covid are already enduring, it is essential that we rapidly identify menstrual disturbance and have effective treatments to prevent iron deficiency and its associated fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath.”

The study also explored the influence of different stages of the menstrual cycle on long Covid symptoms. Researchers utilized an application to track daily symptoms in a group of 54 women over three months. They found that symptoms such as dizziness, breathing difficulties, and cognitive issues were most prominent during or just before menstruation, with reports indicating symptom relief following ovulation.

Additionally, researchers analyzed hormone and inflammation levels in a smaller cohort of women, both with and without long Covid, utilizing blood samples and tissue from the uterine lining. The findings indicated elevated inflammation levels in women suffering from long Covid throughout their menstrual cycle, potentially contributing to problematic bleeding and exacerbating symptoms during menstruation.

Notably, levels of progesterone and oestradiol—hormones produced by the ovaries—were found to be similar in women with long Covid and those without, suggesting that the condition does not significantly impact ovarian function.

Dr. Alexandra Alvergne, a senior researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Montpellier, highlighted the importance of recognizing the bidirectional relationship between disease and menstruation. She remarked, “It’s important to consider the potentially bi-directional relationship between disease and menstruation, where symptoms vary across the menstrual cycle and disease influences cycle parameters. Here we show this may be the case for long Covid, where long Covid associates with abnormal uterine bleeding and symptoms flare up around menstruation.”

The study was funded by organizations including Wellcome, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Wellbeing of Women, and UKRI, emphasizing its significance in advancing understanding of long Covid and its effects on women’s health. As this research unfolds, its implications could lead to new treatments specifically designed for women experiencing long Covid symptoms, paving the way for improved healthcare solutions.