--- title: Did the COVID-19 pandemic change women's periods and mental health? description: Yes. More than half of women reported changes in their menstrual cycle, including more heavy bleeding, painful periods, and missed periods. Rates of depressio url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/female-reproductive-health-disturbance-experienced-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Did the COVID-19 pandemic change women's periods and mental health? Survey study, 2022 # Did the COVID-19 pandemic change women's periods and mental health? Yes. More than half of women reported changes in their menstrual cycle, including more heavy bleeding, painful periods, and missed periods. Rates of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep were more than double what is normal, and these were connected to menstrual changes. Moderate study design 1335 women of reproductive age, surveyed online in April 2021 ## What they did Online survey of 1335 women in April 2021. Participants answered standard questions about depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and changes to their periods since the pandemic started. ## What they found 56% of women reported overall changes in their menstrual cycle. The typical cycle length (28 days) and length of bleeding (5 days) stayed the same, but there was more variation. More women reported heavy bleeding, painful periods, and missed periods compared to before the pandemic. 64% reported their pre-menstrual symptoms had worsened. Rates of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep were more than double those from typical community groups. Poor sleep and anxiety were connected with menstrual cycle changes, painful periods, and worsening pre-menstrual symptoms. ## What it means for you The pandemic appears to have disrupted many women's menstrual cycles and worsened their mental health. Mental health issues like anxiety and poor sleep may be connected to menstrual changes. Because the study used online volunteers, results might not represent all women. 1335 women surveyed 56% reported menstrual cycle changes 64% reported worsening PMS symptoms ## About the study Original title Female Reproductive Health Disturbance Experienced During the COVID-19 Pandemic Correlates With Mental Health Disturbance and Sleep Quality Authors Maher M, O' Keeffe A, Phelan N et al. Journal Frontiers in endocrinology Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 1,335 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.838886](https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.838886) Original abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected population mental health. Periods of psychological distress can induce menstrual dysfunction. We previously demonstrated a significant disruption in women's reproductive health during the first 6 months of the pandemic. The present study investigates longer-term reproductive and mental health disturbances. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 1335 women of reproductive age in April 2021. It included validated standardized measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7) and sleep quality (PSQI). 581 (56%) of women reported an overall change in their menstrual cycle since the beginning of the pandemic. There was no change in median cycle length [28 days (28-30)] or days of menses [5 (4-5)], but there was a wider variability in minimum (p<0.0001) and maximum (p<0.0001) cycle length. There was a significant increase in heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods and missed periods compared to pre-pandemic (all p<0.0001). 64% of women reported worsening pre-menstrual symptoms. Rates of severe depression, anxiety and poor sleep were more than double those from large scale representative community samples. Poor sleep quality was an independent predictor of overall change in menstrual cycle (OR=1.11, 95%CI 1.05-1.18), and missed periods (OR=1.11, 95%CI 1.03-1.19) during the pandemic. Increased anxiety was independently associated with a change from non-painful to painful periods (OR=1.06, 95%CI 1.01-1.11) and worsening of pre-menstrual symptoms (OR=1.06, 95%CI 1.01-1.07) during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to bear a significant impact on female reproductive health. Increased levels of psychological distress and poor sleep are associated with menstrual cycle disruption. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2026 Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health? Survey study, 2026 What lifestyle and work factors are linked to PMDD symptoms in Chinese nurses? 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