SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and Adverse Effects in Gynecology and Obstetrics: The First Italian Retrospective Study

Abstract

The most common effects reported by the Italian Medicine Agency following administration of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine are myalgia, soreness to the arm of inoculation, fever, and asthenia. To date, there are no specific and official reports registered by the Italian Medicine Agency on possible alterations of the menstrual cycle, or of the female reproductive system, following the vaccine. Actually, clinical experience showed a spread of transient adverse drug reactions of the menstrual cycle, following the administration of all COVID-19 vaccine types, both mRNA and Adenovirus vectored ones. In this work, we conducted the first retrospective study on Italian patients vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 in the period between April 2021 and April 2022, to report the onset of menstrual changes after the vaccine in order to understand: etiology, duration of possible adverse effects, and the extent of the phenomenon. We recruited 100 women aged 18–45, vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, who were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of 12 multiple choice questions about the effects of the vaccine on the reproductive system. Thirty-seven of them received three doses of the vaccine, while the remaining 63 received two doses. Symptoms such as delayed menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding (metrorrhagia, menometrorrhagia, and menorrhagia) were generally reported within the first three weeks of vaccination, especially after the second dose, with a percentage of 23% and 77%, respectively. These preliminary data suggest that this problem may be broader and deserving of further investigation in the future.

Safety and Efficacy of Outpatient Treatments for COVID-19: Real-Life Data from a Regionwide Cohort of High-Risk Patients in Tuscany, Italy (the FEDERATE Cohort)

“…Furthermore, we did not collect and analyze data about COVID-19 symptoms, and we did not investigate the potential correlation between clinical manifestation and COVID-19 severity. Likewise, we could not retrieve data on the full immunization schedules of all participants: the immunization campaign in Italy has used different combinations of vaccines since its start in 2020 [ 37 ], and we cannot exclude the possibility that such variables might influence COVID-19 outcomes and drug tolerability. However, an exhaustive analysis of the role of these variables in COVID-19 patients was beyond the scope of our study.…”

Health and Well-Being through COVID-19 Vaccination: Physical, Oral, and Psychological Effects

“…However, a definitive causal relationship between these events and COVID-19 vaccination has yet to be established through further investigation and study. It is essential to be aware that some individuals may also experience alterations in their menstrual cycle due to the vaccine [ 19 , 20 ], which could impact hormonal levels.…”

Effects of Vitamin D on the Renin–Angiotensin System and Acute Childhood Pneumonia

“…The numerous effects of the RAS suggest that its regulation could be very useful in infectious diseases, such as bacterial pneumonia [ 31 ]. Finally, disorders of the RAS can be caused by viral [ 32 , 33 , 34 ] or neoplastic diseases, such as those affecting the kidneys [ 35 ] or multiple organs [ 36 , 37 ].…”