Survey study, 2021
Does COVID-19 stress and social isolation cause changes in the menstrual cycle?
While women reported stress from financial worries and health concerns, there was not enough evidence that social distancing during COVID-19 actually caused menstrual changes.
What they did
Exploratory survey study of women aged 25 to 45. Researchers used questionnaires to examine whether stress and negative emotions from COVID-19 social isolation affected menstrual cycles.
What they found
Study participants reported distress from financial difficulties and worry about becoming ill or having relatives become ill. However, researchers found insufficient evidence that COVID-19 social distancing and related stress caused measurable changes to menstrual cycles.
What it means for you
COVID-19 stress did not clearly affect menstrual cycles in this study despite women reporting real stress. The research was preliminary and exploratory without clear sample numbers or detailed results, so more study is needed.
25-45
Age range of participants
About the study
- Original title
- Physiological alteration of the menstrual cycle caused by emotions and stress derived from social distancing
- Authors
- Katterine Kariuxy Vásquez Bone, Ana Emperatriz Yupa Pallchisaca, David Leonardo Serdán Ruiz
- Journal
- Universidad Ciencia y Tecnología
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.47460/uct.v25i110.490
Original abstract
The main objective of this work was to explore whether stress or negative emotions caused by social isolation produce physiological alterations in menstruation. A study was carried out with women between 25 and 45 years of age. The bibliography reveals important findings related to menstrual disorders resulting from difficult situations that could affect women of reproductive age. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive method was used. The results of the survey revealed that the research subjects suffered distress due to financial difficulties, as well as the danger of becoming ill or their relatives. However, there is not enough evidence that due to the social distancing product of the Covid-19 pandemic, as a cause of stressful situations and negative emotions, it has caused physiological imbalances that affect the menstrual cycle. Keywords: Stress, emotions, menstrual cycle, social isolation, menstrual disorders. References [1]OMS, Una guia de las orientaciones de la OMS, Ginebra, Suiza: Organización Mundial de la Salud. [Online] Available: https://www.who.int/es/news-room/feature-stories/detail/a-guide-to-who-s-guidance, 2020. [2]Euronews en español, «El modelo sueco contra la Covid-19 vuelve a ser envidiado en Europa,» Euronews, pp. [Online] Available: https://es.euronews.com/2020/09/09/el-modelo-sueco-contra-la-covid-19-vuelve-a-ser-envidiado-en-europa., 09 09 2020. [3]L. Barrucho, «Coronavirus: Brasil es el ejemplo de todo lo que podía salir mal en una pandemia,» BBC News Mundo, pp. [Online] Available: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-56510603, 25 03 2021. [4]BBC News Mundo, «Coronavirus en Estados Unidos: 5 cifras que muestran cómo la pandemia de coronavirus está fuera de control en el país.,» BBC News Mundo, pp. [Online] Available: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-54912864 , 14 11 2020. [5]D. Olmo, «Coronavirus en Venezuela: qué es el sistema 7+7, la peculiar cuarentena con la que el país trata de frenar el avance de la Covid-19,» BBC News Mundo, pp. [Online] Available: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-53187996 , 29 06 2020. [6]P. Naveira, «Toque de queda: en qué países se aplica ya la medida,» AS, p. [Online] Available: https://as.com/diarioas/2020/10/23/actualidad/1603454324_809869.html , 23 10 2020. [7]S. Boccino, «Salud mental de la Mujer: Síntomas y Trastornos Premenstruales. Clinica y tratamiento,» Revista de Psiquiaría del Uruguay., vol. 68, nº 1, pp. 78-89, 2004. [8]H. Selye, «The stress concept: past. present and future,» de Stress resarch: issues for the eighties, New York, John Wiley & Sons, 1986. [9]M. Naranjo, «Una revisión teórica sobre el estrés y algunos aspectos relevantes de éste en el ámbito educativo,» Revista Educación, vol. 33, nº 2, pp. 171-190, 2009. [10]M. Escobar, A. Pipman, G. Aracari, M. Alonso y M. Blanco, «Transtornos del ciclo menstrual en la adolescencia,» Revista Arch Argent Pediatr, vol. 108, nº 4, pp. 363-369, 2010. [11]American Psychological Association, «Los distintos tipos de estrés,» American Psychological Association, 2013. [Online] Available: http://www.apa.org/centrodeapoyo/tipos. [Last access: 5 04 2021]. [12]MSD, «Manual MSD versión para público general, terminología médica de los trastornos menstruales,» MSD, S/F. [Online] Available: https://www.msdmanuals.com/es-ve/hogar/multimedia/table/v802727_es . [Last access: 25 04 2021]. [13]F. Daneri, «Psicología del Estrés,» de Biología del Comportamiento, Buenos Aires, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 2012, pp. 1-25. [14]M. Boutot, «El estrés y el ciclo menstrual,» helloclue.com, 9 11 2016. [Online] Available: https://helloclue.com/es/articulos/emociones/el-estres-y-el-ciclo-menstrual. [Last access: 05 04 2021]. [15]C. M. Quirce, «Una teoría nueva sobre el estrés,» Avances de investigación, nº 6, pp. 1-34, 1976. [16]F. Duval, F. González y H. Rabia, «Neurobiología del estrés,» Rev. Chil. neuropsiquiatr., vol. 48, nº 4, pp. [Online] Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92272010000500006, 2010. [17]R. Calle, La psicología del sosiego en el trabajo y la empresa. ¿se puede prevenir el estrés y la ansiedad en trabajos que exigen mucha atención o dedicación?, Bogotá: Intermedio editores, 2005. [18]S. Nogareda, Fisiología del estrés, Madrid, España: Instituto nacional de seguridad e higiene en el trabajo, Ministerio del trabajo y asuntos sociales, S/F. [19]A. López-Mato, I. G. Illia, O. Boullosa, C. Márquez y A. Vieitez, «Transtorno disfórico premenstrual,» Rev. Chil. NeuroPsiquiatr., vol. 38, nº 3, pp. 187-195, 2000. [20]G. Witkin, The female stress survival guide, New York: Newmarket Press, 2000. [21]j. A. Piqueras Rodríguez, V. Ramos Linárez, A. E. Martínez González y L. A. Oblitas Guadalupe, «Emociones negativas y su impacto en la salud mental y física,» Suma Psicológica, vol. 16, nº 2, pp. 85-112, 2009. [22]L. Zanin, A. Páez, C. Correa y M. De Bortoli, «Ciclo menstrual: sintomatología y regularidad del estilo de vida diario,» Fundamentos en Humanidades, vol. XII, nº 24, pp. 103-123, 2011. [23]H. Markel, H. B. Lipman, A. Navarro, A. Sloan, J. R. Michalsen, A. M. Stern y M. Cetron, «Nonpharmaceutical Interventions Implemented by US Cities during the 1918-1919 influenza pndemic,» JAMA, vol. 298, nº 6, pp. 644-655, 2007. [24]M. Foucoult, Vigilar y castigar: el nacimiento de la prisión, Buenos Aires, Argentina: Siglo XXI editores, 2002. [25]F. Planas Padrós, «El modelo sueco contra la Covid-19,» La Vanguardia, pp. [Online] Available: https://www.lavanguardia.com/participacion/lectores-, 31 07 2020. [26]BBC Mundo, «Fracasamos: qué pasó con el polémico plan suecia contra la Covid-19 que ahora es criticado por el rey del país,» BBC News, pp. [Online] Available: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-55354591, 17 12 2020. [27]Alerta Legal, «Modelo de flexibilización 7x7 y sectores autorizados para laborar,» Torres Plas & Araujo abogados, pp. [Online] Available: https://torresplazaraujo.com/actualidad/alerta-legal-modelo-de-flexibilizaci%C3%B3n-7x7-y-sectores-autorizados-para-laboral, 10 06 2020. [28]R. Marquina Medina y L. Jaramillo-Valverde, «Cuarentena y su impacto psicológico en la población,» 12 2020. [Online] Available. Disponible en: file:///C:/Users/Thinkpad/Downloads/452-Preprint%20Text-567-2-10-20200512.pdf. [Last access: 05 05 2021].
Reproduced under CC-BY.
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2025
How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it?
Review, 2025
How do stress hormone levels change during the menstrual cycle and how does this affect health?
Randomised trial, 2024
Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea?
Randomised trial, 2011
Does phone support reduce stress during IVF waiting?
Survey study, 2026
Does stress affect premenstrual symptoms in female athletes, and can coping strategies help?
Survey study, 2026
Is PMS worse in medical students with higher stress?