There are many myths going on social media regarding covid vaccination. One such is that “Women should not take covid vaccine five days before and after their periods.”

Though this information  is not shared by any reliable organization but still many females are hesitant to take covid vaccine during menses after reading these fake messages.

 

Correlation between covid vaccination and menses:

 

No study so far have been able to establish any correlation between covid vaccine and menstrual cycle. Infact due to these social media myths, many organizations came forward to clarify this.

 

Women can take any available covid vaccine in any phase of their menstrual cycle without hesitancy. So covid vaccination during menses/periods is completely safe.

 

Menstruation:

 

Menses or periods is a normal physiological process where our body sheds the unused uterine lining at the end of menstrual cycle. So periods in females are as natural as hunger, thirst, bowel and bladder movements, blinking of our eyes or even our ear wax.

When none of this is being affected by covid vaccination then you don’t have to worry about your periods as well. Its as simple as that. Covid vaccination and menstruation are two different things.

 

What covid vaccination does to our body?

 

Covid vaccine exposes our immune system to a part of antigen which in turn activates our immune response and produce antibodies. These antibodies and our immune system’s memory protect us from further infection.

This immune response may be affected by many factors like the dosing schedule, our antigen exposure, certain diseases or certain drugs like immune modulators but is not affected by periods.

Common side effects post vaccination may include fever, headache, malaise, diarrhea, nausea or rashes, that may last from 1-4 days. If you have any serious symptoms or if your symptoms persist beyond 5 days consult your doctor.

 

Why certain females are experiencing menstrual abnormality during covid and lockdown?

 

Menstrual cycle depends on many factors like our age, our general health, stress level, certain drugs, conception or contraception or certain ailments.

Some women relate all their ailments or discomforts to menstruation. Its same with covid vaccination as well. And change in menstruation post vaccination due to any reason is being related to vaccination.

So women experiencing menstrual abnormalities during covid may be undergoing stress in general or for any specific reason, there may be change in their overall health and diet due to financial crisis, non availability of nutritious food, migration or many other reasons.

None of this is directly or indirectly related to covid vaccination. Covid vaccination during menstruation is completely safe.

If you are experiencing any menstrual irregularity during lockdown, covid or post vaccination do evaluate other causes and consult your doctor.

 

Covid vaccination for lactating or pregnant females:

 

Covid vaccination is completely safe in lactating females. It can be given regardless of baby’s age. Infact lactating mothers should get the covid vaccination at the earliest so they don’t be the source of infection to their babies.

Women planning to conceive should also receive their covid vaccination at the earliest. There is no study indicating any side effect of covid vaccination  on conception. Infact women entering pregnancy after covid vaccination will be more safer than women not vaccinated. So don’t think much and go for covid vaccination without hesitation.

Women who are pregnant can also take covid vaccination. In many countries, its being unanimously available to all pregnant females. In India, its still not recommended by govt guidelines but Fogsi in India, which is federation of obstetricians and gynecologists has recommended covid vaccine in pregnant females. Pregnant females should be given an informed choice about the vaccination. For frontline workers vaccine benefits outways the side-effects, if any, in pregnancy.

 

Conclusion:

In India,

1. Covid vaccine is available for most females above 18yrs of age.

2. There is no correlation between covid vaccination and menstruation.

3. Covid vaccination can be taken in any phase of your menstrual cycle.

4. Lactating mothers can go for vaccination irrespective of the age of baby.

5. Pregnant females can also be given covid vaccination with informed consent.

 

If you want to switch to sustainable menstruation then read our article about menstrual cups as well, by clicking on the link  https://docdaisyclinic.com/how-and-why-to-use-menstrual-cups/