COVID-19 Vaccination and Menstrual Issues - A Survey
Authors: J Sheela. 
Published: August 2021

The present study was aimed to assess the menstrual issues post COVID 19 vaccination.
The objectives of the study was to assess the menstrual issues post COVID 19 vaccination & to find the association between menstrual issues and socio demographic variables. The study was conducted among 100 female participants who were vaccinated against COVID 19, using purposive sampling method.
The present study showed that 88% had taken Covishield and 12 % had taken Covaxin. Majority that is 68% of the female participants belonged to the age group of 18-26 years, 63 % were Hindus and 65% belonged to nuclear family. In terms of the educational status 55% were graduates and 49% were studying. Majority that is 67% had their first menstrual period at the age of 13-15 years and 91% had no menstrual problem before Covid 19 vaccination.
Distribution of 88 female participants according to Covishield vaccine and the menstrual issues revealed that 14% had missed periods, 10 % had bleeding or spotting in between periods, 13 % had menstrual bleeding lasting long, 58 % had menstrual cramps, 18% had heavy periods, 24% had breast tenderness, 39% had abdominal bloating, 27% had extreme tiredness, 11% had constipation and 47% had mood swings.
Distribution of 12 female participants according to Covaxin vaccine and the menstrual issues revealed that 33% had missed periods, 25% had bleeding or spotting in between periods, 08% had menstrual bleeding lasting long, 50% had menstrual cramps, 17% had heavy periods, 33% had breast tenderness, 33% had abdominal bloating, 67% had extreme tiredness, 25% had constipation and 58% had mood swings.
Distribution of female participants aged <20 years who were vaccinated with Covishield/Covaxin revealed that none of the participants in this age group reported any menstrual issues except one person who had extreme tiredness after Covaxin. Chi-Square test or proportion test no possible for both Covishield and Covaxin in age group<20 as observed frequencies do not match requirements of the test.
Distribution of female participants aged 20 -29 years who were vaccinated with Covishield/ Covaxin revealed that for Covishield the proportion test for menstrual cramps revealed Z=0.426 (not significant, ‘p’>0.05), abdominal bloating Z=7.249 (significant, ‘p’< 0.01) and mood swing Z= 2.558 (significant, ‘p’<0.01) For Covaxin Chi square or proportion test not possible in age group 20 - 29 years as observed frequencies do not match requirements of the test.
Distribution of female participants aged 30-39 years who were vaccinated with Covishield/Covaxin revealed that for Covishield the proportion test for breast tenderness revealed Z=0.343 (not significant, ‘p’>0.05). Chi square test & proportion test for missed bleeding, periods lasting long, and cramps is not possible as the observed frequencies do not match requirements of the test. For Covaxin Chi square or proportion test not possible in age group 30 - 39 years as observed frequencies do not match requirements of the test.
Distribution of female participants aged 40-49 years who were vaccinated with Covishield, majority had menstrual issues and those who were vaccinated with Covaxin 50% had no menstrual issues. Chi -Square test or proportion test no possible for both Covishield and Covaxin in age group 40-49 years as observed frequencies do not match requirements of the test.
Only one female participant aged 50 years and above was vaccinated with Covishield and she had menstrual issues before vaccination too. Therefore statistical analysis possible in this case.
A quantitative non- experimental survey approach was chosen for the study. Menstrual issues post COVID 19 vaccination was assessed using a structured questionnaire.

Keywords: COVID 19, vaccination, Covishield, Covaxin, menstrual issues.