I’m 36 and Menopausal After Having COVID-19 and Taking the COVID-19 Vaccine

Hi Ladies,

I hope you are finding your way on your wellness journey. In the Month of May, we will focus on common health concerns related to reproductive health. Many women experience irregular bleeding; heavy or painful bleeding; painful sex; miscarriages; and infertility. Unfortunately, many women suffer in silence. Even when women have concerns, oftentimes they don’t know with whom to share those concerns, or they often feel that their concerns are ignored.

I was recently diagnosed with premature menopause (better known as Primary Ovarian Insufficiency). I now have a diagnosis that explains my year-long journey to determine the cause of irregular bleeding; palpitations; hot flashes; and mood changes. I’m sure you have some of the same questions I did when I was told that according to my labs, I am post-menopausal. You may wonder if I have a family history of early menopause in my family and the answer is no. Another question I had was how common it is for women my age to experience early menopause. About five percent of women experience menopause before the age of 40 (Early or Premature Menopause, n.d.). I am still left with the question of why this happened to me, and I believe it is related to COVID-19 and possibly the COVID-19 vaccine.

I was diagnosed with COVID-19 in January, 2021. A month after COVID-19, I realized I didn’t have a cycle; then another month passes, and still no cycle. Finally, after several negative pregnancy tests, I decided to follow up with my OBGYN for evaluation. I requested lab work and an ultrasound to be completed. My labs were normal, and the ultrasound revealed two small cysts on my left ovary. Soon after my visit, my cycle returned.

In September, 2021, I received my first Pfizer vaccine and two weeks later I began experiencing palpitations; tachycardia; shortness of breath; and chest pain. I would soon realize my cycles would not return for several months. Finally, in April, 2022, after repeated lab work and ultrasounds, I was diagnosed as menopausal. My lab values went from normal a year ago to values of a post-menopausal woman.

If you have reproductive concerns or questions, I have listed five things you should consider before you schedule a visit with your healthcare provider.

Reproductive Goals:

Determine your goals for your reproductive health. Are you trying to conceive? Are you trying to determine the cause of abnormal bleeding? Having a clear idea of what your reproductive goals are before you scheduled your appointment with your healthcare provider will improve your experience during your clinic visit. Write down your goals and bring them to your clinic visit.

Family History:

Learn your family history. When you are planning for pregnancy or trying to determine the cause of irregular bleeding it should be expected that your provider will ask questions about your family history. When I was diagnosed with premature menopause, I reached out to the women in my family to determine if this was a part of our family history. To my surprise, there was not a family history of early menopause. If you have concerns regarding your reproductive health don’t be afraid to shake the family tree and get answers.

Symptom Journal:

Writing down your symptoms to provide a very clear picture of your symptoms can be very helpful during your clinic visit. Sometimes it is hard to remember every detail during your visit. Having a journal during your visit takes away the stress of trying to remember every detail.

Diagnostics Labs:

If you are planning for pregnancy; have experienced infertility or experienced abnormal bleeding; diagnostic labs can help paint a clear picture of your reproductive health. Common labs that can be drawn include TSH; FSH; Estradiol; Luteinizing Hormone (LH); Progesterone; Prolactin; and Androgen.

Diagnostic Ultrasound:

If you experience abnormal bleeding; pelvic pain; or infertility; a transvaginal ultrasound can be helpful in determining the cause. If you have experienced postmenopausal bleeding after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, request a transvaginal ultrasound to rule out gynecological cancers such as uterine cancer. Research is underway to determine if there is a link between the COVID-19 vaccine and changes in menstruation, but I encourage you to not write it off as a coincidence. Complete a reproductive workup.

This blog post is not to start controversy around the vaccine. It is to start the conversation about how the healthcare system can create a safe space for women to be heard when they have concerns about their reproductive health. How can we as sisters in wellness create a space where we can share our experiences with miscarriages; infertility; irregular menstrual cycles; and reproductive concerns post COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you have concerns, don’t be afraid to ask questions; know that you are not alone; be encouraged in knowing what you are feeling is not just in your head. Take control of your health, be empowered, and remember to Always make wellness your best accessory!

Your Sister in Wellness,

Lauren

References:

Early or premature menopause. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/early-or-premature-menopause

Signal for covid-19 vaccine-related menstrual disorders. (2022). Reactions Weekly, 1887(1), 5–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40278-022-07670-3