Female reproductive health has been interrupted as a result of the psychological load of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research presented at the Society for Endocrinology annual conference in Edinburgh. Affected women require additional medical and psychological assistance.

Menstrual cycles in women have been found to be negatively affected by stress and sleep disturbances associated with the pandemic, according to the research. According to the findings of the study, additional research is needed to determine the long-term impact of the pandemic on female reproductive health.

The COVID-19 epidemic has had a negative impact on the lives of people all across the world, particularly in developing countries. The negative effects on our mental health have been exacerbated by considerable changes in our daily routines, dietary habits, and physical activity routines. Stress is a well-known issue that can cause women’s menstrual cycles to be disrupted by altering hormone levels, as well as sleep and body weight abnormalities, among other things.

While stress hormones can directly limit sex hormone release, sleep disturbances have been linked to infertility, and increasing belly fat has been linked to menstruation disorder in some women.

During an April 2021 study, Dr. Michelle Maher, as part of a research team directed by Dr. Lisa Owens in Dublin, conducted a survey of more than 1,300 women to learn more about the impact of the pandemic on reproductive health. Additionally, the survey inquired about the participants’ menstrual cycles in addition to the typical measures of melancholy, anxiety, and sleep quality.

Among the menstrual abnormalities that might occur are irregular, missed periods, painful or heavy periods, as well as premenstrual symptoms. Pre-menstrual symptoms have worsened for 64% of responders, and sex drive has decreased for 54% of those who have experienced a change in their cycles since the outbreak began. Women of reproductive age experienced rates of severe sadness, anxiety, and poor sleep that were more than double those experienced prior to the pandemic.

The disruption of the menstrual cycle was found to be connected with higher levels of mental anguish and poor sleep in the women who participated in the survey.

Women affected by menstrual disturbance face an unprecedented psychological burden, as Dr. Michelle Maher points out in her study. “Our findings highlight a real need to provide appropriate medical care and mental health support to women affected by menstrual disturbance, given the unprecedented psychological burden associated with the pandemic,” she says.

This is the first study to establish that women continue to have reproductive health abnormalities one year after the pandemic began and that these disturbances are connected with elevated levels of psychological distress and poor sleep, according to the researchers. Further inquiry will help us gain a better grasp of the amount of reproductive health disturbance and will help us shape our future practice and public health policy decisions.

Despite the positive results of this study, Dr. Maher cautions that “the length of the pandemic and the effectiveness of the vaccine may influence future findings.” He adds that “further investigation with objective, measurable data is required.” Dr. Maher and colleagues published their findings in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

To track progress and identify any long-term consequences on female reproductive and mental health, the team plans to conduct these surveys at 6-month intervals. Furthermore, objective measurements of blood pressure, weight, sex hormone levels, and ovulation will be taken from the women taking part in this study, in addition to surveys.

Dr. Maher recommends that women who are experiencing any reproductive disturbances (such as irregular or missed periods, painful or heavy periods, PMS, or reduced sex drive), as well as mental health disturbances (such as symptoms of low mood, anxiety, stress, or poor sleep), seek advice from their primary care physician.

“We are planning to provide support for women affected by menstrual cycle abnormalities by developing psychological support workshops at our center” Dr. Maher continues.