The menstrual cycle is one of the vital signs of women’s health. Women under 30 continue to experience problems related to hormones and menstruation, especially abnormal menstruation. Abnormal menstruation not only causes discomfort for women and interferes with women’s quality of life, but it is also associated with poor health outcomes, such as an increased risk of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardio-metabolic diseases. On the other hand, the menstrual cycle has become one of women’s indicators of overall women’s health, although sometimes it was overlooked by several health practitioners. Abnormal menstruation that commonly occurs is dysmenorrhea, premenstrual symptoms, menorrhagia, polymenorrhea, abnormal vaginal bleeding, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, and irregular menstruation.
High levels of stress are often associated with adverse health outcomes. Stress can cause or exacerbate significant health problems, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, sexual dysfunction, digestive problems, and mental health conditions. Stress also influences female reproduction, where stress involves the hormonal system as a system that plays a significant role. Several studies found a relationship between stress and menstrual abnormalities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a relatively high increase in stress levels due to reduced mobility, interaction, and human activity. This situation tends to be stressful for some individuals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence rate of stress in the general population was found to be higher, especially in women and younger age groups. High levels of anxiety and stress have led to the emergence of other studies regarding the relationship between the pandemic and abnormal menstruation or disruption of the menstrual cycle. The prevalence of population experienced severe dysmenorrhea during the pandemic was higher than before the pandemic occurred. Based on this background, further exploration was needed in regard to the relationship between exposure to stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the incidence of abnormal menstruation.
We found related results to the relationship between exposure to stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and menstrual abnormalities. The relationship was analysed through five cross-sectional studies, two observational studies, and two retrospective studies. Eight studies revealed a significant relationship between stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the occurrence of abnormal menstruation, and one study revealed that these changes were not significant.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused stress and generated negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and depression for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. The COVID-19 pandemic also has a more significant impact on women than men, both as front liners such as doctors, nurses, and midwives, as well as women who work and do not work at home. Based on research that has been filtered, all respondents experienced an increase in stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Decreased mood, higher anxiety, difficulty sleeping, increased stress, loneliness, and lack of concentration were found during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women also tend to experience one or more new symptoms and worsening mental health changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is a significant relationship between stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and the incidence of menstrual abnormalities. Future researchers are expected to be able to study further the effect of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic on menstrual disorders.
Authors: Salsabila Bestari Nugroho; Dr Budi Utomo, dr, MKes; Endyka Erye Frety, SKeb, Bd, MKeb ; dr Ashon Sa’adi, SpOG(K); Shifa Fauziyah, SSi, MKedTrop
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