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.

It is strange that others are having disturbed cycles after possibly having CV. I suppose it could also be attributed to stress, less (or more!) exercise etc. But I’ve had other periods in my life that have been personally more stressful (divorce for example) and my periods have always run like clockwork. I’m inclined to think that covid has had an affect.

Yup my period went AWOL for 100 days, it was due around about the time I had first symptoms in March (horrendous night sweats, headaches and hot flushes). I thought I must be peri menopausal. The. I got aches, fatigue, loss of taste and smell about 10 days in. Recovered, still no period. Panicked thinking I would be one of those women who thought they were going through menopause but actually pg - 3 negative tests! Now back to normal.

So as I still haven’t had a period since before Easter I decided to use the “other symptoms” part of the ZOE Covid App study to report delayed menstruation, I figured if others report too a pattern might form.

Well, today I get an email from them saying that as I had reported a particular symptom they would like me to have a test to see if I have Covid right now? Which is a bit weird, I really don’t think I still have covid and don’t want to waste a test, but maybe I should do it?

Hmm. I’ve just gone and looked too. I only went through the “symptoms” right at the beginning. I’m sure the questions re rash and eyes (both of which apply to me) weren’t there then.

Now wondering whether to do same as you re missed period (still none here either) Like you, though, I’m sure I can’t still have it (even if I ever did).

Just coming back to say eagle finally landed on Day 57. Had a few days of noticeable breathlessness and headaches in run up (not usual PMT symptoms for me)

I’m on day 57 today oddly enough, still nothing here. I’ve actually ordered some pregnancy tests, I am so certain I’m not PG as I have the mirena coil and I don’t think the timings work. But if past TTC experience tells me anything, as soon as I take a test my period will arrive

I took a test, deffo not pregnant! I guess I just wait now.

I had possible, unconfirmed/ untested, covid late march early april.and skipped a period. Was on a thread on here, my lungs... and a few mentioned missing periods, havent heard anything about it anywhere else though but personally yes i think the virus does effect periods but at the time i had it i couldnt find any mention of missed periods from any official medical source.

Runnerduck34 yeah, when I google it just comes up with how lockdown might effect periods. But I don’t think that’s what’s happening to me personally.

Good luck @Mrsemcgregor. I knew something was up when even the sure fire method of doing a test didn’t bring mine on immediately!

Yes to the articles re stress, which feel a bit...patronising (just me?). I’ve had periods for over thirty years now; had some really personally stressful/grieving/unsettled times during those three decades (just like any woman) and periods have always been regular. This is a total one off. I also haven’t had that much of a change in lifestyle as many others - similar levels of exercise etc.

Day 69, had a telephone appointment with gp to get inhalers and mentioned it to her. She said anecdotally it is definitely a thing. She thinks it’s probably due to the shock the body goes through with a completely novel virus attacking it. She didn’t seem too worried and said they “may or may not return” whatever that means? Surely they’ll return eventually?!

Finally after a 73 day cycle my period is here!

I hope they return to a “normal” cycle length now, I can’t bear the waiting and wondering!

@Mrsemcgregor

Hi sorry I know this is an older thread but did your periods go back to normal? I had Covid in November and I'm Ttc so tracking my cycles with opks and temping, my cycles are usually clock work and I ovulate around cd15 but I'm on cd29 and no temp rise(meaning no ovulation). I've had two positive opks but still nothing, I'm so worried this is going to go on for months and Covid has made permanent damage 😭

@Ashleighz88 they did, the first few were a bit unpredictable and I’ve had a couple of heavier than usual periods since (but maybe that’s because I’m heading for 40?!) but I would say they are back to normal now.
When I spoke to my dr about it she assured me that it was more likely to be because my body was prioritising resources elsewhere rather than because covid had physically effected the reproductive system.

Good luck on your TTC journey, here’s hoping for. 2021 baby!

@Mrsemcgregor thanks so much for replying. That's reassuring to hear. Thank you and I'm glad you've recovered well and getting back to normal ❤️

This is a really interesting thread as the same is happening to me. I had been wondering whether having covid had triggered peri menopause. Reassuring to know they went back to normal OP.