Menstrual changes following vaccine?

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I'm wondering if anyone has experienced menstrual changes following their COVID vaccine? 

I got my first dose (moderna) on 1/7/21. Sore arm, minor headache were my only side effects. But when I got my period, it was off. Very light, almost only spotting and while I usually have almost no cramps, I was in bed for about 5 hours with achiness from my shoulders to my thighs. Took ibuprofen and tylenol with no relief. 

I can't say it's for sure related, but I asked in a FB group of nurses and others reported that they had menstrual changes too. 

Women's side effects/symptoms tend to be understudied (I'm looking at you, heart attack symptoms!)!

I reported on VAERS. I'm getting my second dose today and I guess I'll see if there's a pattern this month. 

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Specializes in School nursing.

Interesting. I have the Mirena IUD and due to it haven't had a period in 7+ years, so I'm can't add anything to this as I still haven't had a period since getting vaccine #1 on 1/16.  

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Hmm...this is interesting.  There are some studies on how COVID infection changed sex hormones and menstruation in the short-term for 1/5 of women of childbearing age.  I wonder if it's related.  I have PCOS and only got off birth control this fall, so my menstrual cycles are currently whack.  Haven't menstruated since getting dose 1 or 2.

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Interesting b/c I got my second dose yesterday and mine showed up 5 days early a few hours later with terrible cramps.  

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12 minutes ago, MHDNURSE said:

Interesting b/c I got my second dose yesterday and mine showed up 5 days early a few hours later with terrible cramps.  

How are you feeling otherwise? I'm so nervous about my second dose!

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3 hours ago, kidzcare said:

How are you feeling otherwise?

Actually not too bad.  I was really nervous as well.  I got exhausted about 6 hours after and slept for a couple of hours.  Mild headache last night and did not sleep great, but didn't;t feel "sick" and never got a fever.  Have been feeling mostly fine today other than a very manageable headache today.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Ya know now that you mention it...this month I actually needed to take ibuprofen and use a heating pad because I was so crampy and I usually am not.  I get achy in my hips and legs which is how I know my period is coming but this month it was pretty bad.  I just chalked it up to perimenopause which I have been experiencing over the last year.  I am only 40 but women tend to go through menopause at a very young age in my family.  Last month my period was much lighter and shorter than normal but that was before I got my first shot.  I get my second shot next week.  

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Ya know now that you mention it...this month I actually needed to take ibuprofen and use a heating pad because I was so crampy and I usually am not.  I get achy in my hips and legs which is how I know my period is coming but this month it was pretty bad.  I just chalked it up to perimenopause which I have been experiencing over the last year.  I am only 40 but women tend to go through menopause at a very young age in my family.  Last month my period was much lighter and shorter than normal but that was before I got my first shot.  I get my second shot next week.

I did read an article in the Washington Post where ob/gyns are reporting that their female patients are reporting changes to their cycles and pain associated with menstruation.  They aren't sure if it's related to COVID itself or stress and anxiety due to our lives being basically upended over the past year.  

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I haven't had any changes - which is surprising, since mine can get knocked off-kilter if I even think about changing my workout/eating/stress habits/levels.

 

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Well this is interesting! I don't have a uterus anymore so I am no help. We are in phase 4 trials, folks. That's when all the unusual side effects show up. 

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I got my second shot 3 days ago and I'll be due for my period in about 2 weeks. I'll see if the same thing happens! 

I was doing great after my second dose and then at almost exactly the 24 hour mark, I started with body aches, mild headache, and chills. Not exactly sure how long it lasted. Came on around 3:45pm, I went to bed at 9:30 to sleep it off and when I woke up around 3am to use the bathroom all the symptoms were gone. 

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