The psychological burden of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted women’s reproductive health and much-needed medical and psychological support, according to recent research presented at the Society of Endocrinology’s annual conference in Edinburgh.

The research shows that stress and sleep disturbance due to the pandemic has adversely affected women’s menstrual cycle and further studies are required to determine the long-term impact of the pandemic on female reproductive health.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the lives of the global population. Due to significant changes to our daily lifestyle, eating and exercise habits, our mental health has been negatively affected.

Stress is one of the factors that can disturb women’s menstrual cycles by affecting hormone levels, as well as causing sleep and body weight disturbances. Stress hormones can directly hinder sex hormone release, while sleep disturbance can cause infertility, and increased belly fat is also associated with menstrual dysfunction.

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To find out the impact of the pandemic on reproductive health, Dr Michelle Maher, as part of a research team led by Dr Lisa Owens in Dublin, surveyed over 1,300 women in April 2021. The survey also asked about menstrual cycles in addition to standard measures of depression, anxiety, and sleep quality,

Menstrual disturbances included irregular, missed, painful, or heavy periods and premenstrual symptoms. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 56% of respondents experienced an overall change in their menstrual cycles, with 64% experiencing a worsening in premenstrual symptoms and 54% experiencing reduced sex drive.

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Rates of women of reproductive age experiencing severe depression, anxiety, and poor sleep were more than double those from pre-pandemic levels.

Menstrual cycle disturbances were caused due to increased levels of mental distress and poor sleep amongst the women surveyed.

“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,” said Dr Michelle Maher.

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This is the first study to show  reproductive health disturbances that women experienced during one year into the pandemic and that this is due to the increased levels of psychological distress and poor sleep. Further research will contribute to a greater understanding of the extent of reproductive health disruption and guide our future practice and health policy.

This study was conducted at a relatively early stage of the COVID-19 vaccination program, so the length of the pandemic and effectiveness of the vaccine may influence future findings, further investigation with objective, measurable data is needed, said Dr Maher.

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The team is planning to conduct these surveys at six-month intervals to determine progress and identify any longer-term effects on female reproductive and mental health. In addition to the surveys, more objective measurements of blood pressure, weight, sex hormone levels, and ovulation will be collected from the women participating.

Dr Maher suggests that women should be encouraged to see their general practitioner for advice if they experience any reproductive disturbances such as (irregular, missed periods, painful or heavy periods, PMS or reduced sex drive) as well as mental health disturbances (including symptoms of low mood, anxiety, stress, and poor sleep).