COVID and periods/cycle and/or muscle cramps

[Mrsemcgregor]

I was wondering if anyone else is noticing differences in their cycle after having COVID-19?

I probably had it (not tested but pretty sure) nearly 4 weeks ago. I’m recovered but still finding I have random muscle cramps, mostly in my legs but occasionally in my back or neck or even around my rib cage. Anyone else experienced this following potential infection? My chest also still crackles like static in the evening but I guess that’s to be expected.

The strangest thing is my menstrual cycle, I was due a period the week or so following infection and I did have a small bleed, but it was more like spotting and lasted 48 hours. Not usual for me. Yesterday 12 days after that bleed I started spotting again with cramps, but it seems to have stopped already*.

Just curious really if anyone else has noticed similar and whether it could be an after effect of having the virus?

*definitely not pregnant, I have a mirena coil and most importantly haven’t had sex within the time frame for pregnancy.

[Mrsemcgregor]

Probably just me then, sounds about right!

[LemonyCupcake]

I had this - suspected Covid in March then v weird cycle -period much later etc

[goodname]

Yes, I think I had it in March/April and have had periods only two weeks apart, really heavy and terrible stomach cramps since then. Really weird

[Mrsemcgregor]

That’s interesting, I’m not alone!

I know that illness, stress and being run down can effect your cycle but I’ve been quite poorly several times in my life and never had any cycle problems. In fact the only times my period has ever not been regular is new birth control or pregnancy.

[ImJustCoddlingAnEgg]

Yep similar here. The chest and abdominal pains are like food poisoning type pains, and the neck and back aches are like I've been punched.

[Mrsemcgregor]

My upper legs keep either cramping or having pains like I’ve overdone it in the gym. My back does feel like it’s been punched at times, winded almost. It’s all very bizarre and I have no idea if it’s related to the virus or maybe it’s a side effect of less exercise?

[ImJustCoddlingAnEgg]

Yes, I've woken up the last 3 nights (days 1-3 of period) feeling winded. I was never a big exerciser but I did used to get my steps in as a minimum each day, and now I certainly don't. I've gone from being on my feet for most of the day to sedentary, and I drink more fizzy drinks now than before lockdown. But I've been more unhealthy than this in the past and not had periods like this, so I can't put it down to just my lifestyle changing, I don't think. Also, I complete the Covid-19 symptom tracker app each day and they recently added a question about periods as they've noticed that many women are remarking on a change. So there's something there, we just don't know what yet.

[Realitea]

The covid tracker app is asking about periods as they think there might be a link with oestrogen plying a protective part in symptoms.
I’ve noticed my cycle has got longer and they’re much more painful with cramps coming a few days before in my legs and hips.

[ImJustCoddlingAnEgg]

Ah that's interesting @realitea thanks.

[Mrsemcgregor]

The app did ask me about birth control a few weeks back.

I fascinated to find out what this all means. Also concerned what the long term effects might be? I’ve finished my family but I wonder if it will cause problems with fertility in some? I think mumps does to men doesn’t it?

[Realitea]

Maybe because birth control can include oestrogen patches, implants, pills, etc.
Yes mumps does cause problems with men. There are so many things it could cause long term. I think they've already found long term lung problems have been found in recovered adults.

[GibbertyFlibbet]

Interesting thread, thanks OP.

We were in Madrid at half term. A fortnight after we came back I had a few days of fever, cough and generally feeling lousy, but not ill enough to be bed bound. NHS 111 at time didn’t want to know as we’d not been in Italy etc. This rolled on into fatigue/malaise.

Three weeks after fever this, I came out in hives-like rash all over trunk, legs, arms and neck. Sore, and horribly itchy!

Now on day 39 of cycle, longest it’s been in 5 years of tracking (normally 25 days ish, with range of maybe 3 days each way). Even did a pregnancy test as it’s so unusual (negative, thank God!!). Still having muscle and joint aches and pains.

Possibly all a bunch of coincidences and don’t even know if I had C-19, but interesting to hear others’ experiences.

[polkadotpixie]

I did have some bleeding around ovulation the cycle after I had suspected COVID

I have had it in the past but not since I was a teenager so it was unusual for me

Clear smear test last year and no chance of STI so interested to hear others experiences

[Mrsemcgregor]

Thanks for sharing everyone. I’m glad I’m not the only one whose noticed something odd in that department, but I’m sorry you are suffering too.

GibbertyFlibbet it’s so strange isn’t it? Never in my life have I had unexplained changes in my cycle and it happens to coincide with having been ill with potentially covid. The aches and pains are bizarre as well, varying from shooting pains to proper cramps and everything in between. All in various different parts of my body.

Bloody odd!

[GibbertyFlibbet]

@mrsemcgregor

I should clarify that I’ve been having periods for considerably longer than 5 years 😀 - this is just the data in my app. Other than pregnancy and breastfeeding, cycles have always been very regular. It is possible this is perimenopause and nothing more, but a very striking change all at once.

[Runningshorts]

Such an interesting thread. I got ill in March so covid wasn't confirmed but I had all the symptoms. My period arrived the first day I felt seriously ill with burning lungs (14 day cycle, unusually short). Then I had a normal 26 day cycle followed by 14 day long heavy bleed. After that it was a 33 day cycle, by far the longest I've ever had.
So no pattern but yes it's messed my periods up! I also find that my lung burning symptoms come back mildly a few days before period arrives.

[Moonflower12]

Ooooh very interesting!

My period was over a week late and I was beginning to have worries of the immaculate conception. I am normally 28 days to the minute. I had 'coming on symptoms' but nothing for over a week and then my usual period.

I had-undiagnosed but very likely C19- a few weeks ago with leg pains etc.

[Mrsemcgregor]

It will be interesting to see in a few years when all the data has been collected and analysed. Although there doesn’t seem to be anyway to report these possible after effects, I’m not thinking of wasting my GPs time unless my periods stay erratic for some time.

[Mrsemcgregor]

....still no post covid period. 46 days and counting.

[GibbertyFlibbet]

Day 46 here too now @mrsemcgregor. Feeling particularly murderous today however, and eating anything that doesn’t move fast enough, so maybe my luck is almost in.

As an aside, am generally achey and my neck/shoulders are really stiff

[Mrsemcgregor]

I do have a few spots which is generally a sign!

I’ve been achey too, and not sleeping well either.

[ImJustCoddlingAnEgg]

I'm finding my usual symptoms at various points in my cycle are all exacerbated. The sleeplessness makes the rest harder to manage as well

[RegDet]

Interesting. I wonder if I had Covid 19 in Feb. Between now and then I've had two cycles of only two weeks. I'm having unusual crampy pains in the second half my cycle this month which isn't normal either.

[TweeterandtheMonkeyman]

So interesting. I came back from Spain at end of Feb - dry cough, night sweats, pains in back and neck, optic migraines (going blind in alternate eyes but only slight headache) , burning pain in chest when cough was worst AND very early , heavy, crampy period. Since then my cycle has gone from 4 weeks to 3 weeks and cramps have been the worst since I was a teenager.
No loss of taste smell that I can think of though 🤷‍♀️

[glueandstick]

I know that the plural of anecdote is not data. But mine are all over the place. Lungs burning a couple of days before the start. It’s like a murder scene and very painful. Totally random lengths too.