A new study has noted that increased levels of stress during the pandemic have led to irregular menstrual cycles in women and people who menstruate.

This is the first US study that looked into the effect of stress on peoples′ periods. Over 200 women and people who menstruate were included in the survey conducted in the United States between July and August last year to understand how stress during the pandemic affected their menstrual cycles. Around 54% of the participants experienced changes in their menstrual cycle after the pandemic started. People experiencing higher levels of stress during the pandemic had a greater likelihood of experiencing heavier menstrual bleeding as well as a longer duration of period, in comparison with people who experienced moderate levels of stress. The study is published in the Journal of Women′s Health… (HT – ANI, October 3, 2021)