According to a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, women who were under stress due to the COVID-19 outbreak were two times more likely to undergo alterations in their menstrual cycle. For the study, the researchers developed a two-part survey, including a validated COVID-19 stress scale and a self-reported survey about the changes in the menstrual cycle.

The findings of the study revealed that 10.5% of 354 women who completed both parts of the survey reported high stress. The study also revealed that about 12% of the reported changes in all four menstrual cycle features, namely menstrual cycle length, period duration, menstrual flow or increased spotting, and irregularities.

After the researchers adjusted certain variable factors, such as age, obesity, and other characteristics, they found that women with high COVID-19 stress were more likely to report changes in menstrual cycle length, period duration, and spotting in comparison to women who reported lower stress levels.

Dr. Martina Anto-Ocrah, Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Pitt School of Medicine and the lead author, noted that the menstrual cycle is an indicator of women’s overall well-being and any disruption in the menstrual cycle and fluctuating hormones can impact fertility, mental health, cardiovascular disease, and other outcomes. 

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/study-finds-pandemic-related-stress-associated-with-changes-in-menstrual-cycle/1188484/ )