• WomELLE
  • Contact Us
  • Writers
  • Write For Us
  • Submit Article
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

  • Login
WomLEAD Magazine
Podcast
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Business
  • HER Story
  • Founders & CEOs
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring
  • Women
  • Wellness
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Business
  • HER Story
  • Founders & CEOs
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring
  • Women
  • Wellness
No Result
View All Result
WomLEAD Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home Women Today
Stress During Pandemic Change Women’s Periods

Did Increased Stress During Pandemic Change Women’s Periods?

The Editorial Team by The Editorial Team
November 8, 2022
in Women Today
Reading Time: 3 mins read

New research suggests that increased levels of stress during pandemic affected the women’s menstrual cycles because many took up childcare and household responsibilities disproportionately, and many dropped out of the labor force as well.  

The new study suggests that this increased stress might have changed women’s menstrual cycles in various ways. Many women who reported higher levels of stress reported early or delayed periods. Others reported increased spotting between cycles or heavier menstrual flow. Many women said that pandemic stress also affected the number of days their periods lasted, often more than usual, while many said that their periods got shorter. 

The study authors term the findings ‘alarming’ due to the impact that an irregular menstrual cycle has on fertility and mental health. The study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology collected data from 354 women. These women, aged 18 – 45, were asked in May 2021 to answer questions related to stress during the pandemic and also report any menstrual changes in their cycle that occurred between March 2020 and May 2021. 

Over half of the women who were surveyed for the report said that they have experienced changes in the length of their menstrual cycle, menstrual flow, period duration, or spotting. About 12 percent reported a change in all four. The researchers found a significant relationship between increased levels of pandemic-related stress and the changes in women’s menstrual cycle. 

Younger women or women who had previously been diagnosed with mental health conditions were more vulnerable to high stress and, thereby, experienced changes in the menstrual cycle. The data was collected from a racially diverse group of women and a geographically representative sample. The study authors noted further that the women were not on any kind of birth control and were neither menopausal nor postmenopausal before the pandemic. The study did not include any trans or non-binary people who tend to also have periods. The research was part of a growing body of work that suggests women’s periods changed during the pandemic. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Stress can affect the menstrual cycle in many ways. The stress hormone called cortisol affects the production of estrogen and progesterone in the body, which are the reproductive hormones in a woman that influence the menstrual cycle. Stress-related factors, like poor nutrition, weight loss, weight gain, and poor sleep, also play a role. 

Nicole C. Woitowich, an assistant professor of medical research at Northwestern University, also found an association between pandemic stress and changes in women’s periods in an online survey of 210 women in 2020. Since the survey did not include a representative sample, the findings were not considered conclusive. However, it suggested nevertheless that pandemic affected menstrual cycles in women over a long period of time. 

In general, an occasional abnormal menstrual cycle is not a worrying factor, but experts encourage women to talk to doctors and keep tracking their periods to make sure that concerning patterns do not emerge. In addition to stress, changes in the menstrual cycle or a prolonged irregular menstrual cycle can also signal hormonal changes, thyroid disease, pregnancy, cancer, or an infection.  

If someone is in a continuously stressful situation, increased levels of cortisol can also increase the risk of inflammation, heart disease, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, or other chronic diseases.  

Surprisingly, a recent report published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that questions about menstruation or menstrual health and hygiene have not been included in most of the large-scale COVID-19 studies. This implies that more research needs to be done in this domain and whether stress-related changes in women’s menstrual cycle have any more lasting effects. 

Tags: changes in the menstrual cycleCOVID-19-related stresshigher stress levels during the pandemicImpact of stress on menstrual cycleirregular menstrual cyclemenstrual cycle irregularitiesmenstrual healthpandemic affected menstrual cycles in womenpandemic stressstress-related changes in women’s menstrual cyclewomen’s menstrual cycles
Share36Tweet22Share6
The Editorial Team

The Editorial Team

Hi there, we are the editorial team for WomELLE to help you succeed in business. WomELLE is a community working to support women by helping them achieve their business goals through specialty services, leadership, mentoring, and networking. The magazine "WomLEAD" is to help you succeed as an entrepreneur, business owner and leader.

Related Posts

Women in Art: A Passionate Fight!
Women Today

Women in Art: A Passionate Fight!

March 27, 2023
Unconventional Professions for Women in 2023
Women Today

Unconventional Professions for Women in 2023

March 23, 2023
Leading Women in Technology in 2022
Women Today

Leading Women in Technology in 2022

March 22, 2023
Next Post
4 Day Work Week

4 Day Work Week: The Pros and Cons 

Emotional Intelligence in Business

How to Leverage Leadership EQ 

Maura Healey Makes History. Image: The Guardian

Maura Healey: The Story of a Bold Lesbian Leader    

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

WomLEAD Magazine

A print and digital magazine for businesswomen focusing on leadership, business, and entrepreneurship that made its debut in 2017 has WomELLE Magazine.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • Recap 2022: Key Challenges Faced by Businesses This Year
  • Stepping Into Your Purpose and Unleashing Potential with Tinosh Davarinia
  • Too Shy to Lead? Entrepreneurship Motivation for Female Entrepreneurs

Category

  • Business
  • Female Founders
  • Founders & CEOs
  • HER Story
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring For Women
  • Wellness
  • Women Today

Recent News

Recap 2022: Key Challenges Faced by Businesses This Year

Recap 2022: Key Challenges Faced by Businesses This Year

March 28, 2023
Stepping Into Your Purpose and Unleashing Potential with Tinosh Davarinia

Stepping Into Your Purpose and Unleashing Potential with Tinosh Davarinia

March 28, 2023
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2023 WomLEAD Magazine from WomELLE, Corp.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • Podcast
  • Business
  • Founders & CEOs
  • HER Story
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring
  • Wellness
  • Women Today

© 2023 WomLEAD Magazine from WomELLE, Corp.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?