5th International Conference on Gynecology and Obstetrics

Elizabeth Contreras Vargas is an undergraduate medical student at Escuela de Medicina Intermédica in Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo. México. Her academic interest are focused on Gynecology and Obstetrics, women’s health, reproductive medicine, and clinical research. She is the first author of the 2026 article “Menstrual Alterations Associated with COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination: A Narrative Review,” published in Ginecología y Obstetricia de México. Her research activities include scientific writing, literature review, and the analysis of topics related to women’s health and clinical medicine. She has participated in additional scientific publications and academic activities and seeks to continue developing her training in research and evidence-based medicine, with particular interest in contributing to the understanding and improvement of women’s reproductive health.

Background: Menstrual disturbances following SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination have raised questions regarding their mechanisms, duration, and reproductive implications. Systemic inflammation and immune changes may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and endometrial function, potentially altering menstrual regularity, duration, and bleeding volume.

Objectives: To synthesize the available evidence on menstrual disturbances associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, and to describe the potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implications.

Methods: A narrative review of literature published from January 1, 2020, to March 20, 2025, was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Observational studies and reviews were prioritized. Selection was based on relevance to the study objective; no formal inclusion or exclusion criteria or quantitative synthesis were applied. Twelve observational studies directly related to the objective were analyzed, while 16 additional reviews and COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2-related articles were used to expand key concepts.

Results: SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with menstrual irregularity, menorrhagia, transient amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea, possibly mediated by systemic inflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis dysfunction. COVID-19 vaccination was associated mainly with transient increased bleeding, variations in cycle length, and spotting. Available evidence indicates that most menstrual changes resolve spontaneously within one to three cycles and are not associated with impaired fertility.

Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination may temporarily affect the menstrual cycle; however, most reported alterations are mild, transient, and reversible. These findings can support patient counseling, reduce unnecessary concern, and guide reproductive-health surveillance and education.