Can you take the COVID-19 vaccine during your period? Can COVID-19 vaccines affect your periods? Are there any long-term concerns on periods and fertility after taking the COVID-19 vaccines?

If you are hesitant about taking the vaccine due to all the talks around its side effects on your periods, in this article, we will talk about all concerns one by one. 

Can a COVID vaccine shot change your period?

It is not known for sure yet, but according to London’s Imperial College, Dr Victoria Male, many people have reported having a heavier period than usual or having a slightly delayed period after taking vaccine shot.

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Dr Victoria Male, who is a Reproductive immunologist, told BBC that some people might experience short-term changes to their period after taking the vaccine, however, it happens only for one or two cycles. 

Why COVID vaccines might affect periods?

According to Dr Victoria Male, the immune system affects sex hormones and sex hormones affect the immune system. So, if the immune system gets a huge shock, either in the form of the vaccine or if someone is actually infected with coronavirus, sex hormones will changes. And as sex hormones regulate periods, the effect on the hormones can perhaps change when or how someone will bleed.

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The Reproductive immunologist also noted, while talking to BBC, that there are many immune cells in the uterus lining and they can be affected by the general activation of the immune system, whether by vaccine or general illness and in result could affect someone’s reproductive cycle. 

Are there any long-term concerns?

There are not any long-term concerns of vaccine effect on reproductive cycle as most reports of change are of one or two months, Dr Victoria Male told BBC. She also dismissed the concerns of period changes that might affect the fertility of a person.