To evaluate how stress related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected women's menstrual cycles. We hypothesized that women with high levels of COVID-19-related stress would have more menstrual changes compared with those with lower levels of stress.METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited a representative sample of U.S. adult women of reproductive age (18-45 years) using nonhormonal birth control to participate in an online REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture, Vanderbilt University) survey. COVID-19-related stress was assessed with the PSS-10-C (COVID-19 Pandemic-related Perceived Stress Scale) and dichotomized as low stress (scores lower than 25) and high stress (scores 25 or higher). Self-reported menstrual outcomes were identified as changes in cycle length, duration, or flow and increased frequency of spotting between cycles. We used x 2 and Fisher exact tests to compare differences in outcome between the two stress groups and logistic regression models for effect estimates.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.