Reasons why the vaccine causing delayed periods does matter

[reannneeee]

How come the rare heart condition manifesting in young males after the vaccine is getting listed as a side effect, but delayed periods aren’t?

Even if delayed periods aren’t really harmful in the long run, some women have chronic conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS that affect periods and cannot take the pill. I am one of them. The pill makes me suicidal. Some women such as me are scared of symptom exacerbation from the vaccine. For example I don’t want the vaccine until I know for sure the lack of periods is simply
because of the immune response temporarily suppressing them. I am scared of more endometriosis building up in my body and being even more clueless as to what is going on in there. For other women who have very regular periods, a missed period could be distressing and make them think of pregnancy etc. If the vaccines effect of delaying periods was investigated more and made into more common knowledge, women would know what to expect.

Those concerned about the vaccine’s affect on the menstrual cycle aren’t necessarily conspiracy theorists who think it’s all designed to depopulate the world. That’s a misogynistic thing to think.

Women like me are not conspiracy theorists or idiots. It is not fair to mock us and our concerns. Not everybody is a virologist. How are things meant to be found if nobody raises concern? All we want is for the effect on the menstrual cycle to be properly acknowledged, explained and listed as a side effect. We aren’t expecting the world.

@HSHorror.

And? How does that negate any of my points?

More than one thing can be true at once.

I am 99% sure I had covid months ago ( bank holiday weekend, decided to isolate rather than test for logistical reasons )

When I was sick I had an extra bleed before I ovulated - ovulation and my who cycle was delayed, I know this because it's the month I fell ( very happily ) pregnant & am now almost two full weeks behind the gestation I 'should' be. This has been dismissed by my midwife who says I just got my dates wrong.

I wasn't eligible for the vaccine until after I knew I was pregnant, the guidance says 'here's the facts, go and discuss with your health provider'. The response from both my midwife & gp has been 'read the stuff and come to your own decision' and won't be drawn into a conversation on the vaccine causing bleeding.

I don't know what to do, I'm now 12 weeks, I haven't had the vaccine- I'm terrified of stories of it causing bleeding which means I'm terrified of miscarriage. I'm also scared of contracting covid while pregnant ( for now I assume I still have some antibodies but the midwife & gp won't note previous covid as no proof & dismissed my idea of an antibody test ).

If anyone could direct me to another health authority taking this point seriously or any other advice out there I would be very grateful

It's worrying that we are effectively being gaslighted in to being told we are just noticing this because we are aware and that we are probably always irregular. Many know perfectly well it's directly linked to the jab as they've tracked their cycle for years for various reasons. I've even seen it trotted out by other women on here that it's all in their heads. I was discussing this with my mum yesterday and she'd never even heard of this side effect. She doesn't mix much and reads/listens only to mainstream news. I work in a heavily female dominated industry and read forums such as this and women in their thousands are reporting this. I don't blame the under 30's/ those pre children or those like OP who already have gynae issues for being hesitant about having the vaccine, especially with the lack of transparency.

@DaisyBlu perhaps there are private antibody tests you could access? Congratulations.

The Yellow Card reporting states clearly that it's being looked into, and who by, but "The number of reports of menstrual disorders and vaginal bleeding is low in relation to both the number of females who have received COVID-19 vaccines to date and how common menstrual disorders are generally."
www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting.

It's actually fairly common with other vaccines and viruses; making antibodies uses up lots of vitamins and hormones get called in to support the immune system. The excess effort can then lead to menstrual changes. That's how the body works when it's under strain from creating antibodies ("stress" as a word can be used relating to physical body effort, not only anxiety). It should be better reported and studied across all types of illness and medication, but it's unclear what could plausibly be "done" other than recommend vitamins, water and rest. One study suggested fewer side effects for vaccines taken at the start of the menstrual cycle, but it wasn't particularly robust.

I am taking part in a study for imperial college where they’ve sent out a spreadsheet for me to fill in my cycle details over several months, plus adding in when I had the vaccine doses.
So some people are looking into it. But I do agree that it’s been dismissed by others who’ve just said that the women are wrong or are imagining it.

It is less serious than the heart thing, because the heart thing can kill you flat.

Period symptoms are harder to prove than a measurable heart thing.

BUT I absolutely agree it should be being taken more seriously and this is part of a pattern of ignoring 'women's problems'.

I'm fairly sure actually having covid delayed my period - I have PCOS so used to have irregular periods so wasn't particularly worried. For the last couple of years I've had a regular 4.5 - 5.5 week gap, but after having covid the gap was nearer 7.5 weeks. If that is caused by the actual disease may not be surprising that it can also happen with the vaccine.

Incidentally having my first vaccine didn't seem to affect them, but not sure if that was because I'd previously been infected. Have others had a difference between first and second vaccine? (I've not had my second yet, getting it later this week)

@reannneeee

How come the rare heart condition manifesting in young males after the vaccine is getting listed as a side effect, but delayed periods aren’t?

Even if delayed periods aren’t really harmful in the long run, some women have chronic conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS that affect periods and cannot take the pill. I am one of them. The pill makes me suicidal. Some women such as me are scared of symptom exacerbation from the vaccine. For example I don’t want the vaccine until I know for sure the lack of periods is simply
because of the immune response temporarily suppressing them. I am scared of more endometriosis building up in my body and being even more clueless as to what is going on in there. For other women who have very regular periods, a missed period could be distressing and make them think of pregnancy etc. If the vaccines effect of delaying periods was investigated more and made into more common knowledge, women would know what to expect.

Those concerned about the vaccine’s affect on the menstrual cycle aren’t necessarily conspiracy theorists who think it’s all designed to depopulate the world. That’s a misogynistic thing to think.

Women like me are not conspiracy theorists or idiots. It is not fair to mock us and our concerns. Not everybody is a virologist. How are things meant to be found if nobody raises concern? All we want is for the effect on the menstrual cycle to be properly acknowledged, explained and listed as a side effect. We aren’t expecting the world.

Ok but you don’t need to frame it as, ‘they only care about teen males!’

It’s just because healthy young people who are hospitalised or die are very, very hard to ignore (there was a 13-year-old boy who died after his second vaccination in Michigan)

Side effects that are not as ‘lethal’ or don’t require hospitalisation can be handwaved away or dismissed by the powers that be.

Simple.

@MRex

The Yellow Card reporting states clearly that it's being looked into, and who by, but "The number of reports of menstrual disorders and vaginal bleeding is low in relation to both the number of females who have received COVID-19 vaccines to date and how common menstrual disorders are generally." www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting.

It's actually fairly common with other vaccines and viruses; making antibodies uses up lots of vitamins and hormones get called in to support the immune system. The excess effort can then lead to menstrual changes. That's how the body works when it's under strain from creating antibodies ("stress" as a word can be used relating to physical body effort, not only anxiety). It should be better reported and studied across all types of illness and medication, but it's unclear what could plausibly be "done" other than recommend vitamins, water and rest. One study suggested fewer side effects for vaccines taken at the start of the menstrual cycle, but it wasn't particularly robust.

a voice of reason. It is not necessarily a male conspiracy - it is not being ignored - you are not being 'gaslighted' - I am not sure what you want to happen - you wanted the vaccination so it is not possible to have one that is side-effect free. Each of us reacts differantly.

If men were reporting issues around ED it would be investigated immediately

They are.

It's attracting even less attention than menstrual issues, as is so often the case with men's reproductive health. Covid can also cause ED. There is however no known link to fertility.

(Note: the Indian studies used by Fact Check conflate ED and infertility. It is infertility that is excluded from effects of jab and disease)

@MRex

The Yellow Card reporting states clearly that it's being looked into, and who by, but "The number of reports of menstrual disorders and vaginal bleeding is low in relation to both the number of females who have received COVID-19 vaccines to date and how common menstrual disorders are generally." www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting.

It's actually fairly common with other vaccines and viruses; making antibodies uses up lots of vitamins and hormones get called in to support the immune system. The excess effort can then lead to menstrual changes. That's how the body works when it's under strain from creating antibodies ("stress" as a word can be used relating to physical body effort, not only anxiety). It should be better reported and studied across all types of illness and medication, but it's unclear what could plausibly be "done" other than recommend vitamins, water and rest. One study suggested fewer side effects for vaccines taken at the start of the menstrual cycle, but it wasn't particularly robust.

Do you know how this 'excess effort' can affect pregnancy? I can't find any mention of pregnancy in relation to menstrual changes from the vaccine, only unconnected comments that it's safe

No I don't @DaisyBlu, sorry. RCOG advice is to use mRNA vaccines as they have been used by more pregnant women and ideally to be vaccinated in second trimester when baby and mum are at least risk in pregnancy. Pfizer seems to have slightly lighter side effects overall than Moderna or AZ. Here's the advice and information to date: www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/. I think the decision is hardest for pregnant women; you're at more risk from covid than anyone not pregnant but your instincts are to avoid anything unusual or different; just keep reading and talking to the midwife and any consultant involved in your care so that you're as confident as you can be in your decision. All you can do is pick the option that seems lowest risk overall for you. I hope you keep well and have a healthy baby.

Women who suffer migraine with aura also can’t take the pill (or any hormone based contraceptive). I do agree this does need investigation, late or irregular periods are distressing for women for lots of reasons. Women’s health is little understood by the medical profession as we’re lumped in with men despite having different symptoms for the same diseases and reacting differently to lots of medications. This would be a good time for the medical profession to distinguish between men and women.

completely agree with your posts @reannneeee
Its the reason i refuse to have the vaccine.

@MRex

No I don't *@DaisyBlu*, sorry. RCOG advice is to use mRNA vaccines as they have been used by more pregnant women and ideally to be vaccinated in second trimester when baby and mum are at least risk in pregnancy. Pfizer seems to have slightly lighter side effects overall than Moderna or AZ. Here's the advice and information to date: www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/. I think the decision is hardest for pregnant women; you're at more risk from covid than anyone not pregnant but your instincts are to avoid anything unusual or different; just keep reading and talking to the midwife and any consultant involved in your care so that you're as confident as you can be in your decision. All you can do is pick the option that seems lowest risk overall for you. I hope you keep well and have a healthy baby.

Thank you

If it matters to a woman that her periods are delayed, it matters. it is not for anyone else to tell her that it doesn't matter.

We are still allowed our own opinions.

@Wanttocry

I am taking part in a study for imperial college where they’ve sent out a spreadsheet for me to fill in my cycle details over several months, plus adding in when I had the vaccine doses. So some people are looking into it. But I do agree that it’s been dismissed by others who’ve just said that the women are wrong or are imagining it.

That's interesting. I applied to volunteer for this study after my first jab. I stated that I had tracked my periods for years and had experienced side effects from the vaccine affecting my periods.

I was rejected from the study because I had experienced side effects and 'they wouldn't know what is normal for me'.

From what you've said, I probably have all the data they would need for me to participate. So they've advertised for volunteers who've had one vaccination, but are rejecting anyone who got jabbed and had the side effects they want to study.

@Dollpiglet you need to see the GP with that level of flooding

What I don't understand is why there's no publicity about the fact that actual Covid is causing issues with periods.

Whether Covid can cause infertility (as well as changes to menstrual cycles), I don't know, but it also affects men - as it has been associated with erectile dysfunction.

It does need to be properly investigated.
How many blokes have said after having the vaccine that their sperm has been effected?
But yet the sperm trials started last year

www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04665258

I have PCOS. Moderna x 2 and period on time with both vaccines and no change to cycle. Doesn't happen to everyone.

@Dollpiglet

I haven't had a period for 3 years due to pregnancy and breastfeeding and since having pfizer I've flooded for 2 weeks, then spotted for 2 weeks, then flooded again etc etc - so far I've been bleeding for 9 weeks. The flooding is horrendous - I have been (sorry TMI) sat on the toilet and it's like I'm having a full on - I've drunk 3 pints of water in a row - wee, but it's just blood pouring out of me. I'm lucky I work from home because I can't actually leave the house as I've needed to change my pad every 20 mins (and that's with an ultra tampon too). I feel exhausted by it. DH has had to take over school runs and going out with DC.

I would probably get the jab again but I wish someone had warned me this would happen. I've just had my second jab and i'm praying it will calm down in a few weeks.

Please get some medical advice. When mine were that horrific (well before corona) I went to the gp who wrote out a letter, called a&e and off I went. Iron levels also drop when we bleed and can be very difficult to manage on iron tablets alone. A drop in iron can amongst other things impact energy levels.The drop can also make breathing difficult.

Ahh, but we ladies are very stressed about the vaccine, and stress (don't you know) can cause issues with periods

Silly women, shush now, no one wants to hear about periods and such things.

Yep, us silly women don’t really know our cycles and our bodies well enough to comment on this. We should leave it to the experts who know best.

Honestly I could scream at the misogyny.

@BaronessBomburst

I had the opposite problem My period started the same day as my 1st vaccine. I started spotting on day 11, then had a really heavy week-long period starting on day 17. The cramps were so bad I had constant diarrhea and I had terrible headaches the whole time. I reported it but no-one was interested. I had my second jab today and I really hope it doesn't happen again.

It has affected my periods by shortening them and by causing me to have daily spotting for up to a week before my period (i.e fro about day 17). Two cycles and counting, so far.