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How Lifestyle Changes during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic Affected the Pattern and Symptoms of the Menstrual Cycle

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  • Georgie Bruinvels

    (Orreco, Ltd., London TW1 3DY, UK
    Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

  • Richard C. Blagrove

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Esther Goldsmith

    (Orreco, Ltd., London TW1 3DY, UK)

  • Laurence Shaw

    (School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK)

  • Daniel Martin

    (School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7GA, UK)

  • Jessica Piasecki

    (School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK)

Abstract

This research investigated the implications that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the menstrual cycle and any contributing factors to these changes. A questionnaire was completed by 559 eumenorrheic participants, capturing detail on menstrual cycle symptoms and characteristics prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. Over half of all participants reported to have experienced lack of motivation (61.5%), focus (54.7%) and concentration (57.8%). 52.8% of participants reported an increase in cycle length. Specifically, there was an increase in the median cycle length reported of 5 days (minimum 2 days, maximum 32 days), with a median decrease of 3 days (minimum 2 days and maximum 17 days). A lack of focus was significantly associated with a change in menstrual cycle length ( p = 0.038) reported to have increased by 61% of participants. Changes to eating patterns of white meat (increase p = 0.035, decrease p = 0.003) and processed meat (increase p = 0.002 and decrease p = 0.001) were significantly associated with a change in menstrual cycle length. It is important that females and practitioners become aware of implications of environmental stressors and the possible long-term effects on fertility. Future research should continue to investigate any long-lasting changes in symptoms, as well as providing education and support for females undergoing any life stressors that may implicate their menstrual cycle and/or symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgie Bruinvels & Richard C. Blagrove & Esther Goldsmith & Laurence Shaw & Daniel Martin & Jessica Piasecki, 2022. "How Lifestyle Changes during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic Affected the Pattern and Symptoms of the Menstrual Cycle," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-19, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13622-:d:948576
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Yao Zhang & Haoyu Zhang & Xindong Ma & Qian Di, 2020. "Mental Health Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemics and the Mitigation Effects of Exercise: A Longitudinal Study of College Students in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.
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