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

I've had long covid for over a year and in that time had absolutely no menopause symptoms at all, it seemed to even reduce all my PMT and hot flushes etc.

However, 2 weeks after my second AZ vaccine I plunged straight into very severe menopause symptoms. It may be that this would have happened anyway as I am late 40's, but seems coincidental.

As a PP mentioned, any data about effects of covid the disease's effect on periods, blood clots, fertility to compare to? Also general prevalence of these things in the population en masse pre covid. I have read some information on blood clots and effects on sperm because of covid . Also, does it have anything to do with the blood clots associated with the contraceptive pill.
Does covid have effects on unborn babies? They've said flu can before.
How
Many women have got pregnant after receiving the vaccines? Is it more or less or the same. If there are effects are they detrimental, permanent or temporarily. Any research into psychological effects on periods (stress can affect them we've been told)
Any information on period changes b/c covid or vaccine in women with mirena coil?

Hi
I have had my two doses of the Pzifer vaccine. Both times it massively effected my cycles including random bleeding. Many of my friends have said similar. I have a couple of questions regarding this

1. Is there any research into why this is the case? I have the flu jab every year and never have such side effects.
2. If not why? I have a friend who is pregnant and is refusing to have the vaccine based on how it affects periods. She feels the way it is making periods heavier could also cause miscarriage. I can understand her feelings especially if the period issue is not being looked into.

Thank you

My periods have completely stopped since having the first vaccine, however I still get the most horrendous period cramps every month like it’s trying to come but can’t. Is it normal for periods to completely stop?

Is there any research on the babies who have been born to vaccinated woman ? It's clearly too soon to know if there will be any long term health consequences for the child but is there any info on short term effects ?

What is the benefit to removing a baby from its mother if she has tested positive for Covid before or during the birth?

Hi

My completely post-menopausal cousin has had horrendous 'vagina bleeding' since having the second jab.

She has had to visit her GP who says she doesn't know what is causing it, they haven't linked it to the jab as yet but it seems rather coincidental.

She is literally flooding, she can't go out at the moment as she never knows when it'll happen and sanitary protection won't catch it.

I am really worried for her, she feels so weak now, all they've done so far is put her on 3 iron tablets per day. She is unable to work at the moment too due to this.

I am concerned as she's not the only person I have heard similar happening to.

Hi everyone – Dr Oge here. I’ve noticed that there are a lot of questions around menstrual changes after taking the vaccine, so I’ve provided some general information on this topic below:

A range of menstrual disorders have been reported after vaccination, including heavier than usual periods, delayed periods, unexpected vaginal bleeding.

To date, these reports do not indicate an increased risk of menstrual disorders following vaccination. The number of reports of menstrual disorders is low in relation to both the number of females who have received COVID-19 vaccines to date and compared to expected levels of common menstrual disorders.

Data on menstruation was not collected during covid-19 vaccine clinical trials. We do however have evidence from past vaccine surveillance reports of previous vaccines (e.g. HPV) that they can temporarily affect the menstrual cycle.

The MHRA is now closely monitoring reports of menstrual disorders following vaccination and anyone who thinks it is related to vaccination can report this via the MHRA yellow card system.

The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have released a statement about periods and the Covid-19 vaccination.

The reports of menstrual changes shouldn’t deter women from taking the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s important to note that other factors such as stress, exercise and nutrition can affect menstruation and it can be hard to draw a through-line of cause and effect between vaccination and menstrual cycle changes.

There is no evidence that there is any long-term harm to menstruation, but it is important that all these potential side effects are reported, discussed, and fully investigated if they persist. Most reported changes settle down after a few cycles but if you notice any bleeding that is unusual to you, contact your GP.

@Lornaalyse @username5786 @LaChatte @magicalmama @saltandherbsandnothingnice @MercyBooth @Firecarrier @MyCatDribbles @Bellagonna @TrainspottingWelsh @Ramona19 @DinkyGT @username5786

@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.

The increased scrutiny and awareness of the vaccine has meant that more women have been coming forward and reporting these observed changes.

There is no evidence that there is any long-term harm to menstruation, but it is important that all these potential side effects are reported, discussed and fully investigated if they persist. Most reported changes settle down after a few cycles.

@Lozb123

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???

Plans for booster vaccines are still under development, including which vaccine will be offered to who. You can find more information here.

@DoctorBambino

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

Most side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are mild and should not last longer than a few days, such as:

• a sore arm where the needle went in
• feeling tired
• a headache
• feeling achy
• feeling or being sick

You can take painkillers, such as paracetamol, if you need to. How the vaccine affects one person doesn’t mean it will affect someone else in the same way.

In your first or second trimester of pregnancy, there's no evidence you're more likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus. However, in your third trimester (after 28 weeks), pregnant women are more likely to be seriously unwell and have a higher risk of their baby being born prematurely if they develop COVID-19. It’s advised you attend your second dose appointment as planned as it will provide longer lasting protection for you and your baby.

COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that are known to be harmful to pregnant women or to a developing baby. Studies of the vaccines in animals to look at the effects on pregnancy have shown no evidence that the vaccine causes harm to the pregnancy or to fertility.

@LaChatte

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.

Previous research has shown that viral infections can impact the menstrual cycle and the Covid-19 infection (like any infection) has been reported to cause menstrual disturbances that may settle with recovery.

Some women with long covid (post covid-19 syndrome) have also reported persistent changes to their periods. Like any persistent or irregular bleeding, this should be discussed with your GP and investigated further as needed.

Studies looking into menstrual cycle change during the pandemic have also noted increased frequency of menstrual disturbance compared to pre-pandemic.

An international study examining self-reported symptoms of long COVID observed a high prevalence of menstrual disruption, with over one third of respondents with an active menstrual cycle reporting new menstrual issues (including irregular periods, abnormally heavy periods/clotting, post-menopausal bleeding/spotting and early menopause).

It remains unclear whether reported changes are due to COVID-19 infection or other pandemic related factors, such as psychological stress or behaviour change.

@Florence08
I read on twitter of a couple of people getting shingles.
I, too, had shingles, but in my case it was 3 months after 2nd pfizer dose, so do not think I can honestly link it to the jab.
I would like to think, tho that someone is collating this data, to determine whether there is a link or not.

@LaundryForever

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?

The decision to advise pregnant women to get the COVID-19 vaccination was based on real-world data from the United States, which shows that around 130,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated, mainly with mRNA vaccines including Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, without any safety concerns being raised. There is no evidence to suggest that other vaccines are unsafe for pregnant women, but more research is needed. You can read more about the American study here.

Public Health England has reported that more than 62,000 pregnant women in England have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination, with no adverse side effects.

New data from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS), published on medRxiv, showed that COVID-19 vaccinations offer effective protection against coronavirus. Vaccination data collected since 1 February 2021 found that more than 99% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with symptomatic COVID-19 were unvaccinated.

@ilovemykids5

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.

If you had the AstraZeneca vaccine for your first dose and didn't experience any serious side effects, it’s advised you complete the course with the same vaccine and attend your second dose appointment as planned. The second dose will provide longer lasting protection. Your baby [[https://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/ cannot get coronavirus]] from you having the vaccine:

In your first or second trimester of pregnancy, there's no evidence that you're more likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus. However, in your third trimester (after 28 weeks), pregnant women are more likely to be seriously unwell and have a higher risk of their baby being born prematurely if they develop COVID-19.

It may be possible for you to pass coronavirus to your baby before they are born, however, there's no evidence coronavirus causes miscarriage or effects how your baby develops in pregnancy.

@Ramona19

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

There is nothing in the vaccine that can affect the fertility of women or men. Find out more from the British Fertility Society.

@user1490285009

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 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has updated its guidance to say that pregnant women should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and clinical risk.

This decision is based on real-world data from the United States which shows that around 130,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated, mainly with mRNA vaccines including Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, without any safety concerns being raised. Based on this data, the JCVI now advises that it’s preferable for pregnant women in the UK to be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines where available.

There is no evidence to suggest that other vaccines are unsafe for pregnant women, but more research is needed. You can read more about the American study here.

@Frozenmumma

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.

Having the COVID-19 vaccine does not affect your likelihood of having a miscarriage.

If you find out you are pregnant after you have had one dose of the vaccine (between doses), it is your choice to either have the second dose after the recommended interval, to wait until after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (which is the most crucial time for the baby’s development) or defer until after pregnancy. You should take into account your personal exposure to and risks from COVID-19.

You can read more about these risks here or discuss them with a doctor or your midwife.

@10milewalk

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 ?

There is nothing in the vaccine that can affect the fertility of women or men. You can read more about this from the British Fertility Society.

@Firecarrier

Hi

My completely post-menopausal cousin has had horrendous 'vagina bleeding' since having the second jab.

She has had to visit her GP who says she doesn't know what is causing it, they haven't linked it to the jab as yet but it seems rather coincidental.

She is literally flooding, she can't go out at the moment as she never knows when it'll happen and sanitary protection won't catch it.

I am really worried for her, she feels so weak now, all they've done so far is put her on 3 iron tablets per day. She is unable to work at the moment too due to this.

I am concerned as she's not the only person I have heard similar happening to.

Anyone with vaginal bleeding after menopause (so 1 year after last period) needs to be investigated further.

Your cousin should be referred to a gynaecologist for review of the post-menopausal bleeding you describe, if this has not happened already. Even if someone is not postmenopausal, any persistent abnormal vaginal bleeding needs to be further investigated.

@Lornaalyse

My periods have completely stopped since having the first vaccine, however I still get the most horrendous period cramps every month like it’s trying to come but can’t. Is it normal for periods to completely stop?

If this has continued longer than a few menstrual cycles, then please see your GP to discuss further and get investigated as appropriate.

We are attributing a lot of things to Covid or vaccines, but we must also make sure other conditions are not occurring that are unrelated but still need to be looked into with examination and referral for investigations if necessary.

@username5786

Hi I have had my two doses of the Pzifer vaccine. Both times it massively effected my cycles including random bleeding. Many of my friends have said similar. I have a couple of questions regarding this

1. Is there any research into why this is the case? I have the flu jab every year and never have such side effects.
2. If not why? I have a friend who is pregnant and is refusing to have the vaccine based on how it affects periods. She feels the way it is making periods heavier could also cause miscarriage. I can understand her feelings especially if the period issue is not being looked into.

Thank you

We have now vaccinated over 61,000 pregnant women with the 1st dose of the vaccine and there is no increased risk of miscarriage seen when normal rates of miscarriage are considered.

We continue to investigate the reports of menstrual disorders after vaccination and anyone who thinks it is related to vaccination can report this via the MHRA yellow card system.

@Noapplejustcrumble

I've had long covid for over a year and in that time had absolutely no menopause symptoms at all, it seemed to even reduce all my PMT and hot flushes etc.

However, 2 weeks after my second AZ vaccine I plunged straight into very severe menopause symptoms. It may be that this would have happened anyway as I am late 40's, but seems coincidental.

There is no known link between vaccination and menopausal symptoms specifically. The average age of menopause in the UK is 51 years but symptoms can start many years before this and progress until post menopause, which is officially 1 year after your last period. If your symptoms are persistent and affecting your quality of life, please seek further care from your GP.

@TrainspottingWelsh

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.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is closely monitoring reports of menstrual disorder following vaccination. As you mention, the menstrual cycles if disrupted do return to normal. Any concerns or persistent changes should be discussed with your GP.

Well this didn't really answer my question