Menstrual Cycle Characteristics of Healthcare Professionals at Covid 19 Pandemic Hospital
Conditions: Menstrual Irregularity, Covid 19
Sponsor: Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital

CHARACTERISTICS OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE IN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AT COVID 19 PANDEMIC 
HOSPITAL 
 
HNEAH KAEK 2020/KK/10 
Sevcan Arzu ARINKAN-2020-05-03T22_54_16 
May 2020 
STUDY PROTOCOL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
OBJECTIVES 
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare workers physically and psychologically. Healthcare 
workers have ben required to work under stressful conditions and  take difficult decisions involving 
ethical implications.   Increasing work demands on healthcare professionals conflict with their duties 
to family and friends, which causes psychological stress. All of these factors may negatively affect their 
menstrual cycle. 
The aim of this study is to examine whether there is a change in menstrual cycle characteristics during 
pandemia. Also, we aim to investigate whether there is an association between covid infection and 
menstrual cycle changes. 
DESIGN 
Healthy females who are working at Covid 19 clinic at least 1 month, are included to study.  After 
informed consent, detailed information are collected using structured questionnaires about  their 
reproductive factors and menstrual cycles. 
 
METHODS 
This cross-sectional study is conducted with healthy female participants who are working at Covid 19 
pandemic clinics at Haydarpasa Numune Research and Training Hospital in Turkey. Only participants 
who are sure about their pertinant information are enrolled in the study.  Detailed information is 
collected using structured questionnaires by face to face. 
Primary Outcome Measure: 
1. Irregular menstrual cycle 
1 month after starting to work at pandemic clinic 
2.Length of cycle (day) 
1 month after starting to work at pandemic clinic 
3. Duration of bleeding (day) 
1 month after starting to work at pandemic clinic 
4. Amount of flow (number of used tampons) 
1 month after starting to work at pandemic clinic 
5.Dysmenorrhea status (VAS score) 
1 month after starting to work at pandemic clinic 
 
Secondary Outcome Measures: 
1. Length of cycle difference between covid positive and negative healthcare workers 

First menstrual period after covid infection 
2.Duration of bleeding difference between covid positive and negative healthcare workers 
First menstrual period after covid infection] 
3.Amount of flow difference between covid positive and negative healthcare workers 
First menstrual period after covid infection 
 
Inclusion Criteria: 
Working at Covid 19 Pandemic Hospital 
Being at between 18 and 47 years old 
Having menstruation 
 
Exclusion Criteria: 
Oral contraceptive users 
Pregnants 
Having malignancy 
Having primary amenorrhea 
Being at menopause 
Lactation 
 
Statistical Analysis Plan 
The study was approved by the Ethics and Clinical Investigation Committee. Statistical 
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS; Version 20.0, Chicago, IL, USA) will be used for 
statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics will be presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) 
for normally distributed data, and as counts and percentages for categorical data. The 
relationship between the categorical variables will be examined using the Chi-square test and 
Fisher Exact Test. Results will be evaluated with a confidence interval of 95%, and p<0.05/ 
p<0,01 will be considered statistically significant. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test will be used for 
the assessment of the normality of data. Mann- Whitney U test will be used for the data not 
normally distributed.