MNHQ here: COVID vaccines and Women's Health Q&A - ask your question here

[JuliaMumsnet]

Hello

We're very pleased to say we've managed to secure some time with experts to answer all your questions about the COVID vaccines and women’s health - whether that’s pregnancy and breastfeeding, menstruation and fertility, the menopause or much more.

We’ve seen lots of confusion and dilemmas on site by pregnant women especially, under pressure to make big decisions but not empowered with all the information they need.

We also know that women are tired of being patronised so these experts will try and present as full a picture about the current research as possible, as well as their personal medical opinions and suggestions. Our aim is to get you evidence-based answers without judgement or pressure.

This is a non-live Q&A: we’ll be collecting your questions from now until 2pm on Friday 27th August, and the answers will be posted up on this thread on Friday 3rd September.

So if you have any questions at all about the vaccines, now's your chance to ask 'em. Whether you want to know which vaccine is best for the third trimester, if you can still breastfeed, how it will affect your flow or your menopause, or anything else to do with your health as a woman, no question is too stupid.

The experts answering your questions will be:

Dr Nikki Kanani, a GP in south-east London and Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England and NHS Improvement. Nikki has held a range of positions within healthcare and with her sister she co-founded STEMMsisters, a social enterprise supporting young people to study science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine.

Dr Kate Wiles, Consultant Obstetric Physician and Nephrologist at the Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust. She is also the medical lead for the East London and Essex maternal medicine network, managing all aspects of medical disease in pregnancy.

Dr Oge Ilozue, a GP and Senior Clinical Advisor for the London NHS COVID Vaccination Programme.

So please do add all your questions here by Friday 27th August 2pm and we look forward to posting up the answers next week.

As always, please remember our guidelines - please keep it civil, and if one topic is dominating a thread, we might request that people don't continue to post what's effectively the same question or point. Rest assured we will ALWAYS let the guest know that it's an area of concern to multiple users and will encourage them to engage with those questions.

And with that it’s over to you for your questions.

Thanks
MNHQ

EDIT: Friday 3rd September - Dr Kate Wiles and Dr Oge Ilozue have answered some of your questions this afternoon. If your question hasn't been answered, Dr Nikki Kanani is planning to answer any remaining questions on Monday. Thank you

Hello! My periods seem to have got much heavier since the first vaccine (haven't had the second yet), is this normal? and how long will it last?

It would have been good to have been forewarned, it would not have put me off, just made me feel like I can trust and be trusted in this process with all the information relevant to me. Thank you.

Thanks so much to the experts for doing this! I have a few questions:
I have friends who are pregnant who were advised by their midwife not to get the vaccine (sometimes they received a very vaccine sceptic response from their healthcare professional) earlier this year. Are you considering calling pregnant people so you can make sure they're aware that the guidance now is very clear and give them a chance to talk through any questions they have with a midwife or GP or nurse? Otherwise what is being done to ensure all midwives give out the same information (some continue to either express personal opinion about the vaccine and pregnancy, telling pregnant people not to get it, or advise the pregnant person to check the internet)?

If someone had a dose of AstraZeneca then became pregnant what should they do now and what data do we have on AstraZeneca in pregnancy? There seems to be a huge amount of data on Pfizer and Moderna but not much on AZ. If pregnant people feel concerned about having AZ as a second dose, can they opt to have Pfizer instead?

If someone had a first dose then becomes pregnant, but hesitated about getting the second dose until they got out of the first trimester, can they still come forward for a second dose if more than 12 weeks have passed since the first dose? Do we have any data on whether this would mean they are not as well protected?

Will pregnant people be prioritised for boosters with other clinically at risk groups?

What would you say to someone who is concerned about long-term effects on their baby, say two or more years after they get the vaccine?

Thank you!

I have two questions:

1. how can you be sure that there are no long term side effects on a baby after the birth

2. when there’s no explanation given as to why periods are affected after the vaccine, how can we be sure there are no hidden unwanted side effects of the vaccine that aren’t evident yet

I developed headaches after my first AZ vaccine, initially very severe, now manageable but frequent. I would like to have my second vaccine, but only if it is an alternative. I know I'm not the only woman in this position. Who can authorise this?

Please don't suggest my GP, they refuse to deal with anything vaccine related. The local chemist offer the Pfizer, and whilst they were understanding they're not able to give it to me.

So I’ve had both my vaccines of AZ before I became pregnant and also before they decided that people under 40 shouldn’t have it. I’ve heard that we may be offered a 3rd vaccine if so will I be offered the AZ as that’s what I’ve already had.should I have it?? I’m currently 8 weeks???

1. How are periods affected by the vaccine?

1. What questions were women in the trials asked about their periods?

1. Where is the data regarding periods and vaccines? Is any now being collected? How? Why should any woman with a uterus get vaccinated without this data?

1. If all concerns about changes in periods are palmed off as "probably due to stress" then how could medical science ever conceive of ever finding out if any vaccines or any medicine ever have any effect on periods? Stress is always a possible cause of changes in periods. Does this mean we are saying a priori that vaccines can't affect periods since we have no mechanism for finding out if they do since it always gets dismissed as possibly stress related?

1. Why am I able to get an official explanation of how the vaccine is believed by some to give you 5G access and offered arguments against this, but can see no official guidance or information anywhere about effects the vaccine can have on periods, despite this being a far more likely side effect?

1. Is female biology too complicated for clinicians to take account of it in vaccine trials? If this is the case, why would any females be expected to take vaccines?

I had my first dose of pfizer at 14 weeks pregnant, I'll have my second at 22 weeks. When my husband had his second dose he had an awful fever and high temperature which didn't reduce much with paracetamol. I'm worried about the impact this would have on my baby, I know fever is bad in the first trimester what is the impact in the second?

Also I have heard that there is a link between covid vaccines and iugr is this something you have seen?

Thank you

I had the Moderna (first jab) four weeks ago. Im not pregnant. I havent had sex. Im 48 but still have periods usually every three weeks. Last period was five weeks ago and still not here.

1. I am having to take blood thinner injections and iron tablets after giving birth by emergency C-section (c-section was due to sepsis during labour). Is it safe to get the vaccine whilst taking the injections and iron? If not, how long after should I wait to get the vaccine?

1. Is there any new and updated evidence to prove having the vaccine won’t transfer anything to my baby whilst breastfeeding? When she was born, she had to be put on a weeks course of antibiotics due to an infection in one of her lungs. I am worried about her immune system being low.

Is there any data on the effect of Covid itself on women's menstrual cycles? There is more and more talk about the effects of the vaccin, with some people saying its common with vaccinations in general, but not many people talking about a possible link with actual covid. I caught it in January this year and my periods still haven't returned to normal (I was also vaccinated in May). At one point my GP thought I was peri-menopausal (I'm early 40s, so not impossible), but after some blood tests, that was ruled out.

@saltandherbsandnothingnice

Hello! My periods seem to have got much heavier since the first vaccine (haven't had the second yet), is this normal? and how long will it last?

It would have been good to have been forewarned, it would not have put me off, just made me feel like I can trust and be trusted in this process with all the information relevant to me. Thank you.

This for me too, to the letter.

I also have pcos. Have there been any studies on the vaccine and pcos and if so what were the findings?

I know 3 people who have come down with shingles following their vaccination. I have been very ill with shingles in the past and am concerned about getting it again - I continue to suffer from post herpetic neuralgia. I see from the yellow card reports that there have been a significant number of cases of shingles reported. This is making me hesitant in getting the vaccine as I am aware that I am at increased risk of getting shingles again. What would you advise?

What percentage of women who are pregnant, have covid and are hospitalised are vaccinated please?

Also when we are pregnant we get told so much information about medicines, foods, drinks, etc we shouldn't use but we are now been told to have a vaccination that hasn't been tested on pregnant ladies and if it had than no long term side effects can be known due to it been so new, how is this now recommended? I understand the risk of covid and premature birth, etc but how was this risk weighed up against the potential unknown side effects to the vaccination for both mum and baby?

Why aren't the changes to periods being acknowledged, or studied? At least they don't appear to be.
I had AstraZeneca age 39 when they had spares. My periods are like clockwork, but since they changed to every 3 weeks and and heavier, only just going back to normal. It could be a wild coincidence if it was just me, but are we really expected to believe so many women have the same coincidental changes?
It's not an issue and I would have had it anyway, but I don't think it's encouraging either the anxious, or those closely tracking ovulation for fertility reasons to pretend the two are unconnected.

I had my first Astrazeneca vaccine when I didn't know I was pregnant. (I must have been about 3 weeks). I have since had covid. I am now 20 weeks pregnant and terrified of having the second dose. Do you think I will have enough immunity now without getting the second dose? I am not sleeping with all the worry of getting a blood clot. I am 43 years old.

I had my Pfizer first dose, trying to convince for the last two years, has been diagnosed with pcos but have one child (8 years) now on Letrozole trying to convince and took Pfizer while Inwas on my medication, my question is would this affect my fertility? Would pfizer effect my periods? What about my husband would pfizer will effect his sperm?

I am currently due my second dose but really not sure if I should take it as lots of feedback saying that you shoud not

Women seem to be at higher risk of Long Covid. Is there yet any information/studies/data on whether vaccines help protect against Long Covid? If so, is the protection equal regardless of which vaccine (AZ, Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson)?

Hello! I’m currently 17 weeks pregnant and I have received 1x dose of AZ back in January. I declined the 2nd dose in April on advice from the vaccination centre clinical lead as at the time we were TTC and the info was changing re. Blood clots and under 30’s (I’m now 29). I have a few queries that I don’t seem to be getting any help with regarding my current vaccine status and having another dose:

• how protected am I (and my baby) currently after 1x dose of AZ (am I classed as unvaccinated in regards to all the data coming through on pregnant women & covid)
• if I was to have my 2nd dose, would I need to “restart” my course due to the time lapse. Would this be AZ (If 2nd dose or if restarting course) that I’d be offered even though pregnant & what are the risks of having a different vaccine (Pfizer/Moderna) if already had AZ
• risk of AZ in pregnancy (blood clots but also any data on AZ in pregnancy)
• what’s the difference between covid vaccine and whooping cough that is also offered in pregnancy

Thank you so much

Hello!

I am in a similar position to posters above (although not pregnant!). I had my first AZ vaccine at the end of March. I had various neurological symptoms (including severe headaches and double vision). Following that I developed lots of black eye floaters that obscure my vision. This happened within 4-5 weeks of the vaccine. This may or may not be connected but I have since put off having my second dose, as clearly risking my vision is not something I'd like to do. So I am in the one-dose only club. Should I just book another AZ, try for a Pfizer for the second dose, or hope for the best. I believe I had the original Cover last spring. Thanks for your help.

I delayed having a vaccine during pregnancy because I was worried about complications - specifically blood clots.

Now that I’ve had baby is it safe? I’ve read women are at increased risk of clots in the first 6 weeks after birth. Should I wait 6 weeks or is it safe to take now ( I’m 4-5 weeks postpartum).

The first vaccination (in June) hugely impacted my cycle - I did not ovulate and my period was much heavier than usual). As I am currently TTC it was incredibly frustrating. I track my cycles so I am very aware of how my cycles usually look so I am not convinced when told that the vaccine has no impact on menstruation or fertility. I know many women who have been affected in the same or similar ways. Why is there not a study about this? Why should I have the second vaccine if it negatively impacts my chances of conceiving?

Hi I’m 6 weeks pregnant following an IVF frozen embryo transfer. I had my first dose of Pfizer before my treatment but my second dose was due the day before my embryo transfer and I wasn’t comfortable with getting it so I postponed. Upon finding out my treatment was successful, my clinic advised me not to have the second dose until I am past the 12 week milestone. All the advice online seems to advocate going ahead with the vaccine. I’m so confused and petrified of doing the wrong thing. Hearing horror stories of women becoming ill/dying because they’re unvaccinated is just awful. This pregnancy is much longer for and we don’t have the option of ‘trying again’ if all were to go wrong. It’s such a worry.

I am 43 yrs old and was diagnosed with breast cancer in January. I am now on Tamoxifen for the next 5/10 years. In the Tamoxifen booklet, the Breast Cancer Nurse gives you, a large section is dedicated to blood clots however after speaking to my doctor she states the only medication they would be concerned about is Warfarin. After having cancer and now being on Tamoxifen the last thing I want to worry about is Astra Zenica blood clots. My question is can I voice my concerns at the covid drop in centre and would they give me the Pzifer vaccine if requested?

I've heard so many women have had period problems after the vaccine, how do we know it's not also effecting fertility in some way in some women ?

Thank you for doing this Q&A.

I am 38 and TTC. I has my first dose of AZ in March under the zero waste scheme. My next period was 10 days early and really heavy and painful. My next 3 cycles were also 10 days shorter than usual.

They have now returned to normal. I have put off the second dose for this reason.

I was contacted by the NHS as someone who had not taken up the second dose. The lady I spoke to said she understood my reason not to have it and said I had done the right thing.

I did called the GP when my first period was early and was advised that the vaccine was the likely cause.

I spoke to a different GP this week and asked whether I could have the Pfizer vaccine. This GP kept asking me if I would accept that there could be a cause other than the vaccine for the change to my cycle.

Of course this is possible.but I would find it extremely coincidental. I have been tracking my periods for years and have a very regular cycle, it never differs.by more than a day either way. I was asked if I had moved, if anyone in my family had been ill or if I was under any other stress at all as these factors could have caused the change. Non of these things were the case.

In the end the GP said he would speak to 'the administration ' to see if I could be offered the Pfizer vaccine but he could not promise.

If I was younger or not TTC I would not be worried however I am concerned I have ruined my chance of conceiving.

I was like to be fully vaccinated and would feel more comfortable having Pfizer.

Do you have any advice for me please?