Hot flushes stopped after Pfizer Vaccine

[WhatIsThisPlease]

I know there have been lots of reports of periods being messed up - but I'm perimenopausal and so far have only had one period this year. Vaccine hasn't changed that, but, I'd started to have hot flushes. Not bad ones, but quite regularly for about 6 weeks. And since the first vaccine; I haven't had a single one. Has anyone else experienced this? It makes me worry about DD getting it when she's old enough (couple of years yet) if it messes with your hormones?

@WhatIsThisPlease
That's really interesting. I had Astra Zeneca and am post menopausal but have started to have hot flushes again. Didn't make the link but now I'm beginning to wonder.

I was always under the impression that hot flushes come in fits and starts... I know mine did. Could it be a coincidence?

I just thought They were over for good as I haven't had one for over six months

It seems that all kind of reactions linked to an estrogen surge in reaction to the vaccine, and then to an estrogen drop after a while, are plausible. Other posters here noticed a greater libido, or that the boobs are getting bigger, or that the skin is looking better. (But estrogen also stimulates blood clotting...)

Hot flushes disappearing in perimenopause, when the body still craves the same levels of estrogen as before, could indicate this phase of estrogen surge. On the other hand, hot flushes triggered by the vaccine could indicate an allergic reaction, the kind that is usually treated with antihistamines.

Someone posted this on Reddit:

This NYTimes article explains that there's a rise in estrogen that occurs (in both men and women, but obviously more in women) in response to the vaccine. It's a healthy immune reaction to a "foreign invader".
Here's the specific text in case you have a paywall:
"While it’s true that women may be more likely to report side effects than men, the higher rate of side effects in women also has a biological explanation. Estrogen can stimulate an immune response, whereas testosterone can blunt it. In addition, many immune-related genes are on the X chromosome, of which women have two copies and men have only one. These differences may help explain why far more women than men are afflicted with autoimmune disease, which occurs when a robust immune response attacks the body’s healthy tissue."
They also link to this way more specific article about women and vaccines that might be of interest.
I'd say give it a couple more months for your body to reduce estrogen levels/go back to normal.
www.reddit.com/r/CovidVaccinated/comments/ng5vku/the_vaccine_has_wreaked_havoc_on_my_hormones_i/

Also this:

Estrogen plays a big role in the vaccine-induced immune response; if you experienced a surge in estrogen followed by a big drop in estrogen, you may feel the neurological effects of low estrogen, including anxiety and depression.
www.reddit.com/r/CovidVaccinated/comments/mzt6zd/gi_issues_and_anxiety_1_month_later_pfizer_2nd/

Thank you @Terzani, that's really helpful. Seems like that could be it?

Interesting read @Terzani thankyou

Excess estrogen can also explain the extra bleeding. I had massive breakthrough bleeding and an extra heavy period after my vaccine. Due the next vaccine soon and hoping the same thing doesn’t happen again.

There have been lots of discussions regarding hormonal changes after vaccines. It definitely affected my periods (as they are usually awful and were better after the vaccine).
Women are encouraged to submit any changes via the Yellow Card Scheme, it's not just used for bad side effects.

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

A few weeks after my second Astra Zeneca vaccine, I developed lumps in my nipple. They come and go. they are especially prominent when I have been wearing a bra. I've been sent for breast cancer screening but the the lumps are not cancerous and they aren't worried.

What could these nipple lumps that are sometimes bigger and sometimes less be? I've never had this before and stopped BF 5 years ago. I also started getting that 'let down' feeling that you have when you are BF, super odd.

Does anyone know if this could be related to hormone related side effect of the vaccine?

My cycle went for 26 days to 29 too.

*excuse my typos

@WhatIsThisPlease

Thank you *@Terzani*, that's really helpful. Seems like that could be it?

I guess so; my last period was in summer 2020 and after vaccination (May) I also felt better regarding the hot flushes.

@TartanTrunks Definitely hormone related, in fact this was among the first weird effects described in women, and doctors recommended waiting at least 4-6 weeks before a mammogram, just to avoid confusion between this effect and breast cancer.
eu.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/02/26/covid-vaccine-side-effect-mimics-sign-breast-cancer-mammogram/6818923002/

Also, check out this - another weird effect linked to the immune response, in this case caused by prolactin:
www.reddit.com/r/CovidVaccinated/comments/njp5xf/really_bizarre_side_effect_from_moderna_for_women/

I have been having burning/musuclar pain in my right breast and armpit (same arm that was jabbed) and have contacted gp. This started 6 days after my first pfizer jab and is still continuing 6 weeks later. Anyone else had this?

Interesting. I'm 51 and on a back to back progesterone only pill to stop my periods altogether, and I still got a period after the vaccine.

Do they ever end.

I am/was post menopausal, no periods for over 2 years. Since having A Z 2nd jab my periods have now resumed 😐

@Whatinthename20

I also had horrendous pain in armpit - though not breast. Google said it was a fairly common side effect. It was the glands fighting off the 'infection'.