Volume 22, Issue 4 (April 2024)                   IJRM 2024, 22(4): 283-294 | Back to browse issues page

Ethics code: IR.IUMS.REC.1400.1173


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Ranjbar F, Haghani S, Aghashahi M, Gharacheh M. Changes in menstrual cycles among Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. IJRM 2024; 22 (4) :283-294
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3293-en.html
1- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. , gharacheh.m@gmail.com
Abstract:   (317 Views)
Background: Some women experienced alterations in their menstrual cycles during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in menstrual cycles among Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1500 women of childbearing age referred to healthcare centers in Tehran, Iran from April-November 2022. Participants were selected using the stratified sampling method. Data were collected via a questionnaire covering information on menstrual cycle, COVID-19 infection, and COVID-19 vaccination status. The study's outcomes focused on menstrual changes by evaluating cycle regularity, duration, and symptoms based on participant-reported observations.
Results: The findings revealed that the pattern of menstrual change during the pandemic occurred in the form of a shorter interval in 8.6%, and longer interval in 8.9%, shorter duration in 10.4%, longer duration in 9.4%, heavier bleeding in 12.3%, lighter bleeding in 14.7%. The chance of menstrual changes in women who were infected with COVID-19 was 54% higher than that of women who were not infected, and the chance of menstrual changes in women who received 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine was 1.5 times higher than women who had not been vaccinated.
Conclusion: Our research revealed a high incidence of menstrual changes among Iranian women of childbearing age during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare providers should be knowledgeable about the menstrual changes associated with COVID-19 infection and vaccination to provide information and support to affected women.
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Type of Study: Original Article | Subject: Fertility & Infertility

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