Summary
Half a decade since the arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, were still learning about its complications, with the latest research suggesting that long covid may disrupt menstrual periods.
Source: new-scientist-health
AI News Q&A (Free Content)
Q1: What are the effects of long COVID on menstrual cycles as per recent studies?
A1: Recent studies indicate that long COVID can be associated with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), including increased menstrual volume, duration, and intermenstrual bleeding. A study in the UK found that women with long COVID reported these changes more frequently compared to those who had recovered from acute COVID or were never infected.
Q2: How does long COVID potentially affect menstrual cycle symptoms?
A2: Long COVID symptoms have been observed to vary with the menstrual cycle. The severity of symptoms was noted to be highest during the perimenstrual and proliferative phases. This suggests a potential interaction between COVID-related symptoms and menstrual cycle phases, which may be influenced by underlying inflammatory and hormonal changes.
Q3: What mechanisms are proposed to explain menstrual changes in long COVID patients?
A3: The proposed mechanisms include increased menstrual inflammation and differences in peripheral and endometrial inflammation. There is also evidence of higher serum 5α-dihydrotestosterone and lower endometrial androgen receptors in long COVID patients, which may contribute to abnormal uterine bleeding and symptom severity.
Q4: What are the implications of menstrual tracking technologies for understanding menstrual health in the context of COVID-19?
A4: Multimodal menstrual tracking using consumer health devices can help incorporate unconventional signals such as blood glucose levels and heart rate to provide a broader understanding of menstrual health. This could be particularly useful in assessing menstrual health changes in the context of long COVID and aid in better management of symptoms.
Q5: Are there any specific treatments recommended for menstrual irregularities caused by long COVID?
A5: As of now, there are no validated effective treatments specifically for menstrual irregularities caused by long COVID. Management typically depends on symptoms, and rest is recommended for fatigue. However, the findings from recent studies may pave the way for new therapeutic strategies targeting inflammatory and hormonal imbalances.
Q6: How prevalent is long COVID and what are the common risk factors associated with it?
A6: Long COVID affects about 6-7% of adults and 1% of children. Common risk factors include higher age, female sex, having asthma, and a more severe initial COVID-19 infection. The prevalence is lower among those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Q7: What technological advances have been made in menstrual cycle prediction, and how might they apply to those experiencing long COVID?
A7: Technological advances such as machine learning techniques have been applied to predict menstrual cycles accurately. These technologies could help individuals experiencing long COVID to better manage their menstrual health by anticipating cycle changes and planning accordingly.
References:
- Page: Long COVID
- Predictive Modeling of Menstrual Cycle Length: A Time Series Forecasting Approach
- The potential bidirectional relationship between long COVID and menstruation
- Users' Perspectives on Multimodal Menstrual Tracking Using Consumer Health Devices
- The Clinical and Metabolic Profiles in Menstrual Changes Among Reproductive-Aged Women Post-COVID-19
