Fears of Covid jabs' effect on women's menstrual cycles

Women have raised concerns over alteration of their menstrual cycles after receiving the Covid-19 vaccination.

However, Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society President Kireki Omanwa says it is no cause for alarm.

Among the changes include lengthened and shortened cycles besides changes in menstruation flow, which is heavier, compared to before the jab.

“A number of women are raising issues on changes in cycles, more pain during menstruation and some have heavier menses,” said Dr Omanwa adding that majority of women who complain do not seek medical checkup.

In a separate interview, Prof Matilu Mwau, an infectious disease expert and deputy director at Kemri, dismissed fears that vaccines may tamper with pregnancy and reproductive health.

But, he said there is no solid data to link the vaccines to change in menstruation, nor infertility.

“If about 100 to 200 women reported the same reactions, we could cluster such as adverse side effects, because the more the numbers, the more possibility of connecting the side effects to the vaccines,” noted the expert.

Wajir County, for instance, is among counties experiencing low uptake of the jab, as the majority women believe it has some component of family planning.

“Vaccines do not prevent pregnancy. We cannot link vaccines to delay in conception,” maintained Omanwa.

Dr Geoffrey Kulabusia, an immunologist, explains that Covid-19 jabs may alter women's menstrual cycles as it stresses the immune system, affecting hormonal balance.

However, Kulabusia, also a lecturer at Egerton University, Department of Medical Sciences said there are no adverse effects on hormonal imbalance attributed to the vaccines, and if they are, they could be linked to an underlying health problem.