Covid-19 vaccine side effects: Women hope more research will discover if jab causing period problems

Women around the world have been asking for several months whether early, heavy or painful periods might be an unlisted side effect to the Covid vaccine. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received reports from more than 4,000 women who suffered period problems after having their jab. Some 2,734 reports are linked to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, 1,158 related to the Pfizer/BioNtech jab, and 66 linked to the Moderna vaccine, up to May 17. The numbers roughly reflect the proportion of each vaccine in the UK’s vaccination programme. The majority of issues were reported in women aged between 30 and 49 and typically involved “heavier than usual” bleeding. Other issues included delayed periods and unexpected vaginal bleeding. The watchdog said it is “closely monitoring” the reports having said a review with experts found that there was no need to list the problem as a potential side effect alongside common issues such as a sore arm, fatigue or nausea.