A leading immunologist specialising in fertility says, changes to periods and unexpected vaginal bleeding after having a Covid vaccine shot should be investigated to reassure women.
Dr Victoria Male, writing in the BMJ, from Imperial College London, said that the body’s immune response was the possible cause, not something in the vaccines. Also, there is no proof that they have any impact on pregnancy or fertility.
The UK’s regulator has received more than 30,000 reports of period issues.
Out of more than 47 million doses given to women in the UK till date reported that after all three Covid vaccines they experienced heavier than usual periods, delayed periods and unexpected bleeding.
Even scientists are unable to understand exactly how vaccines could cause such period changes. However, they may be linked to the impact of the immune system – which is enthused by the vaccine – on hormones pouring the menstrual cycle, but also immune cells acting differently in the lining of the uterus can cause this.
Similar menstrual changes have also been the other vaccines, like HPV or human papillomavirus but there has been little research carried out on how and why it happens.
However, scientists agree that women’s ability to have a baby is not affected by the vaccines. Hence, trials show that vaccination did not change women’s chances of becoming pregnant naturally or during fertility treatment. Also, there is no impact of the vaccines into male fertility and sperm quality.
Changes to periods could be concerning, but generally continued only one or two cycles said, Dr Jo Mountfield, vice-president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
She encouraged anyone who experiences heavy bleeding which is unusual, especially after menopause, to speak to a healthcare professional for guidance, but she highlighted that there was no risk of long-term harm.
“There is no evidence to suggest that these temporary changes will have any impact on a person’s future fertility, or their ability to have children,” Dr Mountfield said.
RCOG claimed that vaccination was the “best protection” against coronavirus, especially if someone is planning a pregnancy because pregnant women who are unvaccinated are most vulnerable to become seriously ill from Covid than other women of the same age.
It also called for more research into why women may experience changes to their menstrual cycle after the vaccine.
