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(CNN) -
Clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines should include examining the possible effects on women's menstrual cycles, if only because many of them are concerned about potential problems, argued one Wednesday. British expert.
But there is also evidence that the immune response elicited by both vaccines and viral infections can temporarily affect menstrual cycles, so studying these effects is important, Dr. Victoria Male, a specialist in Reproduction of the disease, wrote in the BMJ. Imperial College London.
"Vaccine doubts among young women are largely due to false claims that COVID-19 vaccines could harm their chances of pregnancy later in life," Male wrote.
"Failure to thoroughly investigate reports of menstrual changes after vaccination is likely to fuel these fears," he added.
"If a relationship between vaccination and menstrual changes is confirmed, this information will allow people to plan for potentially disturbed cycles. Clear and reliable information is especially important for those who are confident that they can predict their menstrual cycles to achieve or avoid pregnancy." he explained.
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The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) said last month they were spending $ 1.67 million to help five research teams study the possible effects of vaccines against covid-19 in menstruation.
"Numerous factors can cause temporary changes in the menstrual cycle, which is regulated by complex interactions between the body's tissues, cells, and hormones," the NIH National Institute of Child Health and Human Development said in a statement, issued August 30th.
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"Immune responses to the COVID-19 vaccine could affect the interaction between immune cells and signals from the uterus, causing temporary changes in the menstrual cycle. Other factors that can cause menstrual changes include pandemic-related stress, lifestyle changes related to the pandemic and infection by SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), "they noted.
Temporary changes due to the covid-19 vaccine
Male said the indications were that these changes, if they do occur, are temporary and harmless.
"Most people who report a change in their period after vaccination find that it returns to normal the next cycle and, more importantly, there is no evidence that vaccination against COVID-19 negatively affects fertility, "he wrote.
"Menstrual changes have been reported after mRNA-vectored and adenovirus-vectored covid-19 vaccines, suggesting that, if there is a connection, it is likely the result of the immune response to vaccination and not a specific component. of the vaccine, "he added.
"Vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) has also been associated with menstrual changes. In fact, the menstrual cycle can be affected by immune activation in response to various stimuli, including viral infection: in a study on women who menstruate, about a quarter of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 experienced menstrual disturbances. "
Understandable concern
But studying these effects shouldn't be an afterthought, Male said.
Dr Jo Mountfield, Vice President of the UK Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said it is understandable that women are concerned about these changes.
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"There is no evidence to suggest that these temporary changes have any impact on a person's future fertility, or their ability to have children. It is important to get vaccinated as the best protection against coronavirus. This is especially important if you are planning a pregnancy. as we know that unvaccinated pregnant women are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, "Mountfield said in a statement.
"We support requests for more research to understand why women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle after receiving the vaccine."
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