The impact of COVID-19 on menstrual cycle’s alterations, in relation to depression and sleep disturbances: a prospective observational study in a population of medical students

Abstract

Background The sars-Cov-2 pandemic has determined psychological stress, particularly in the young population of medical students. We studied the impact of the pandemic on menstrual cycle alteration in relation to psychological stress, presence of depression, sleep disturbances and post-traumatic stress, on a population of medical students. Methods 293 female students at the Faculty of Medicine and Psychology of the Sapienza University of Rome (23.08 years old ± 3.8) were enrolled. In March 2021, one year after quarantine, a personal data sheet on menstrual cycle, examining the quality of the menstrual cycle during the pandemic, compared to the previous period. Concomitantly, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Impact of Event Scale have been administered. A Pearson chi-square test was assessed to evaluate the difference between the characteristics of the menstrual cycle and the scores obtained with the questionnaires. Results A statistically significant association between menstrual alterations and stress during pandemic had been found. The onset of depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances was observed in 57.1% and in 58.1% of young women with cycle’s alterations, respectively. Amenorrhea was three times more common in female students with depressive symptoms, premenstrual syndrome had a significant correlation with both depression and sleep disturbances. The pandemic has been related to menstrual alterations, with depressive symptoms and sleep disorders. Amenorrhea is connected to depression, as observed on the functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. Conclusions The pandemic affected the menstrual cycle as well as the depressive symptoms and sleep. Practical implications of the study lead to the development of strategies for psychological intervention during the pandemic experience, in order to help medical trainees, with specific attention to women’s needs. Future studies should analyze the impact of other types of social stress events, on sleep, depression and the menstrual cycle beside the pandemic.

Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among students aged 12 to 24 after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in China: prevalence and associated factors

“…Educational pressure on students decreases gradually as they approach adulthood, and students in college and university tend to have more mature coping skills than those in middle and high schools and this may lower their risk of suicidal behavior ( 52 ). These factors may help older students weather pandemic-related stresses such as social restrictions and interruptions or alterations in studies, which contribute to depression and sleep disorders among college students ( 53 ). So, the above are possible reasons why middle school students have a higher risk of suicidal ideation and intention than college students.…”

Correlation research on physical activity and executive function in female college students with subclinical depression

“…Differences in biological factors, including hormone levels, genetic inheritance, and social roles and pressures, contribute to a higher prevalence of depression in females compared to males. This gender disparity in depression is further exacerbated in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic ( 2 , 28 , 29 ). Therefore, this study focuses specifically on female college students with subclinical depression.…”