The rule changes were not due to COVID-19, but due to stress
Stress and changes in emotional state caused by self-isolation, not COVID-19 infection, had a significant impact on women’s menstrual cycles, according to a study conducted by two gynecologists from Hospital Santa Creu and Sant Pau from Barcelonawhich confirms what caused the changes in the period that many women experienced during childbirth from March to May 2020. We are talking about first study which explores the relationship between mental health and periodic imbalances during the pandemic.
The investigation, which was unable to determine the total number of women affected by the changes, conducted An online survey of nearly 6,500 women aged 15 to 55. who were not infected with the virus at the time. They experienced menstrual changes such as absence, delay and profuse bleeding, what, according to the study, influenced emotional state and stress that many suffered.
Likewise, he points out that those who suffered the most from stress did so because fear of getting infected, lack of money or situation at work.
More than half believe that the quality of life has worsened
A total of 6,449 women responded to the survey, although about 5,000 were later included in the final analysis. The study collected data of interest, such as information on activities during childbirth, sexual activity, perception of emotional state, changes in menstrual characteristics, and impact on quality of life. Analysis of menstrual changes was limited to those who responded that they did not use hormonal contraception.
According to the data, 92.2% of respondents had at least one menstruation during childbirth and only Amenorrhea was observed in 7.7%.absence of a rule. On the other hand, 50.1% believe that the overall quality of life has worsened during their imprisonment, compared to 41.3% who felt it had remained more or less the same. Only 8.7% reported an improvement.
At the same time, for almost half of women 49.8% had decreased sexual activity in those weeks.
Stress and emotional changes are among the causes
In case menstrual changesThe study concludes that there were no significant differences had at least one menstrual period during childbirth at a statistical level in relation to frequency of occurrence of amenorrhea or its regularity menstrual cycle, which may also be affected by other factors, such as perimenopause (the natural transition period to menopause). The women surveyed were assessed on the duration and characteristics of isolation, the perceived impact of COVID-19, and their economic or employment situation.
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On the other hand, the study does show these differences in the intensity of changes in emotional state associated with incarceration stressors. And it also reflects important differences based on changes in the menstrual cycle.
For all these reasons, the investigation at the Barcelona hospital concluded that It was the changes in emotional state that had the greatest impact on menstrual cycle disturbances. what many women experienced during the pandemic, not during childbirth or the virus itself.