Influência da pandemia da COVID-19 sobre o ciclo menstrual e saúde mental de mulheres

Abstract

The reproductive system can be affected by stress, infections, psychological and social well- being. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has already caused millions of deaths and Brazil is one of the most affected. Pandemic situation promotes increase stress, fear, and anxiety, resulting in psychiatric symptoms. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the mental health and reproductive axis, mainly in females. Therefore, the aim was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the menstrual cycle and psychological states reported by women of reproductive age and are living through the current pandemic in Brazil. Data were collected through an online questionnaire using the Google Forms platform. Regarding mental health, 83.87% of women who were infected with SARS- CoV-2 and 98.47% of women who were not infected reported new psychological symptoms, increased stress, anxiety, insomnia, and increased nervousness. On the menstrual cycle, 75% of the women who were infected reported changes in their menstrual cycle, while 76.94% of the uninfected women reported these changes. Most women reported longer menstrual cycles, changes in their menstrual period and menstrual flow, changes in PMS symptoms, and reduced libido. Approximately 25% of the women reported changes in the color and/or odor of menstrual blood and had spotting during the pandemic. In uninfected women, the high numbers of reported stressful symptoms demonstrated a higher proportion of menstrual cycle alterations, and younger women are more affected. Thus, factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including social isolation, may affect the mental and reproductive health of Brazilian women of reproductive age, especially younger ones.