The COVID-19 Vaccine and Endometriosis: Stories from Endo Warriors
Many endo warriors have questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Some want to know if getting the vaccine will impact their endometriosis symptoms or their menstrual cycle. Others ask if the vaccine will cause an endometriosis flare or have other effects.
To better serve our Endometriosis.net community, we asked our advocates: "What was your experience with the COVID-19 vaccine and endometriosis? Did the vaccine impact your menstrual cycle and/or your endometriosis symptoms?" Check out their experiences below.
From Jessica
“As an endometriosis health coach, I’ve been able to witness several reactions to the COVID vaccines. So far, I have witnessed irregular menstrual cycles, varying from arriving a week early to a couple of weeks late, lack of ovulation or late ovulation, heavier menstrual bleeding, worsening inflammatory reactions that had previously calmed through coaching, such as vomiting and pain during menstruation, as well as a worsening of daily symptoms like fatigue and allergy/histamine reactions (these symptoms are common in my client group). This worsening of symptoms tends to calm after about 3 to 4 months, though each client has a unique reaction. It seems at 3 months, the flared symptoms become much more tolerable before tapering off.”
From Jessie
“I had the Astrazeneca jab (I live in the UK), and after the second jab, I did notice some random spotting. I don't normally experience this sort of light bleeding in the middle of my cycle, so I think it has something to do with the vaccine. I don't think it affected my endometriosis symptoms, although my latest period was extremely painful and I lost a lot of blood. It is now more than a month since I received the second jab.”
From Keri
“I got the Moderna vaccine. I had no side effects from my first dose. But my period did come 5 days early afterward. I did get some pretty serious flu-like symptoms from the second. They lasted longer for me than anyone else I know. I had cold chills, fever, and body aches for almost 48 hours straight. Though it was shorter, I’d say it felt like the worst flu I'd ever had. After those symptoms went away, some other inflammatory issues popped up. I got mouth sores, joint pain everywhere, brain fog, nasal congestion, and fatigue. I’d say it felt like every allergy or endo symptom I’ve ever had flared up at once. But all that went away about a week after the second shot. I didn’t have any long-lasting issues. And I’m glad I’m vaccinated!”
From Kimberli
“I received the first Moderna vaccine in March 2021. After the first dose, I felt perfectly fine and did not see any changes with my menstrual cycle or endometriosis symptoms. I received the second dose in April 2021. Besides being sick for 2 days, I can honestly say I have not noticed anything to have changed with my endometriosis or period after that dose either. I don’t know if that means I am in the clear or if I will eventually start seeing symptoms, but as of right now nothing has changed. At least nothing that is super noticeable to me!”
From Laura
"The COVID-19 vaccine I received (the Pfizer shot) had seemingly no impact or effect on my endometriosis whatsoever, that I could tell. Granted, I had a hysterectomy at the end of 2019 (only a few months before the pandemic hit), so I don't get periods anymore and it's more difficult to keep track of my cycles. I also don't get PMS nearly as frequently or as severely as I did pre-hysterectomy. But as far as I could tell, I didn't get any cramping or other signs I sometimes still get within the weeks following my COVID vaccine. I don't recall any uptick in pelvic pain, fatigue, or breast tenderness.
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