Survey study, 2023
Did COVID-19 stress affect menstrual cycles and mental health?
Yes, during the pandemic women had longer cycles, more heavy bleeding days, and more mental health problems like depression and anxiety. The proportion of women with heavy bleeding more than doubled.
What they did
385 female medical students in Jordan answered an online questionnaire about their menstrual characteristics and mental health. They reported on their symptoms 10 months into the pandemic and compared them with how things were 10 months before the pandemic began.
What they found
Menstrual cycle length increased from 30.02 days to 32.23 days. The number of days with heavy bleeding increased from 2.42 days to 2.82 days. The proportion of women with heavy bleeding more than doubled from 10.4% to 27.3%. More women reported nausea, vomiting, breast pain, and urinary urgency. Mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and stress were linked to heavier bleeding and other menstrual symptoms.
What it means for you
Pandemic stress was linked to longer menstrual cycles, more severe bleeding, and other menstrual symptoms, which were in turn linked to mental health problems. The study was limited to medical students in Jordan who could take an online survey.
385
female medical students
30.02 to 32.23
cycle length increased
10.4% to 27.3%
heavy bleeding increased
About the study
- Original title
- COVID-19-associated mental health impact on menstruation physiology: A survey study among medical students in Jordan
- Authors
- Aolymat I, Al-Tamimi M, Almomani H et al.
- Journal
- Women's health (London, England)
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 385
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/17455057221150099
Topics
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