New Study Finds Link Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Unexpected Vaginal Bleeding in Women
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has revealed that women who don’t menstruate, including postmenopausal women and those on contraceptives, are more likely to experience unexpected vaginal bleeding after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The study, which aimed to investigate this trend systematically, focused specifically on women who don’t normally have periods.
In order to gather data, researchers used information from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study, which included responses from over 21,000 women. The results were alarming, as a significant number of postmenopausal, perimenopausal, and non-menstruating premenopausal women reported experiencing unexpected vaginal bleeding after receiving the vaccine. Approximately half of each group reported the bleeding occurring within four weeks after the first or second vaccine dose.
The study further revealed that premenopausal and perimenopausal women were three to five times more likely to experience unexpected bleeding after vaccination compared to before the vaccines were available. Postmenopausal women also faced an increased risk of two to threefold.
Although the study did not investigate the reasons for the bleeding, it is suggested that it may be linked to the spike protein used in the COVID-19 vaccines. This finding has important implications for physicians evaluating patients with unexpected postmenopausal bleeding, as knowledge of the patient’s vaccination status can provide valuable context.
The European Medicines Agency has also taken note of these findings and updated the side-effect information of mRNA vaccines in October 2022 to include heavy menstrual bleeding. This aligns with the results of another survey that focused on changes in menstrual bleeding after COVID-19 vaccination.
Researchers hope that future clinical trials of vaccines and drugs will include monitoring of female bleeding patterns as endpoints. They believe that shedding light on this underserved group, peri- and postmenopausal women, is crucial for their overall health and well-being.
As the global vaccination efforts continue to ramp up, it is essential to ensure that the potential side effects of these vaccines are thoroughly understood and studied. This study serves as a reminder that certain populations may experience unexpected reactions, and further research is needed to fully comprehend these risks and develop appropriate medical guidelines.
Overall, this study highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and research regarding the effects of COVID-19 vaccines on women’s health, particularly those who don’t menstruate. The findings provide valuable information for medical professionals and emphasize the importance of individualized patient care during the vaccination process.
