When Covid-19 vaccinations were first rolled out, vulnerable elderly people tended to be first in line. Then, as a younger demographic took their turn, there were reports from many women of what seemed like a strange side effect — changes to their menstrual periods. Some noticed cycle length was different after vaccination, others that their period was heavier than usual. By May 2022 in the UK alone, 39,839 women had reported these sorts of changes.
Victoria Male, a senior lecturer in reproductive immunology at Imperial College London, first came across the phenomena when a colleague happened to mention her periods being heavier following the vaccine, just as they always were after she had her annual flu jab.
"If anyone should know about the reproductive side effects of vaccines, it ought to be me, but this wasn't something I'd ever really heard of," says Male.
She embarked on a small, unfunded study at the same time as other researchers also started looking into it. In Norway, a survey was conducted, while for Male and scientists in the US, menstrual tracking apps were a rich source of data.
"Most people use these apps because they want to know when to expect their next period, so cycle length is the key thing they record," Male says. "But some get into tracking every little thing."
The results have been reassuring. The science shows that any changes are typically small, short term and not a cause for concern.
Esta historia es de la edición January 14-20 2023 de New Zealand Listener.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 14-20 2023 de New Zealand Listener.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.