Pandemic stress linked to longer, heavier and more frequent periods

Since the start of the pandemic people have reported a multitude of different symptoms, from the loss of taste and smell to nausea and vomiting. For many of us it also had an impact on our mental health, leaving many stressed and anxious. And now research has shown that stress can also manifest itself as a physical symptom in some cases.Research by the University of Pittsburgh in the US, found that more than half of the participants in a study reported changes in their periods.The four changes were:Menstrual cycle lengthPeriod durationMenstrual flowIncreased spotting.These were all irregularities that could have both economic and health consequences for them, the researchers noted.Speaking in a news release lead author and assistant professor in the division of general internal medicine at the Pitt School of Medicine, Martina Anto-Ocrah, explained: ‘Early in the pandemic, it would come up anecdotally in conversations with girlfriends and other women that ‘things have been kind of wacky with my period since the pandemic.READ MORE: Blood clots warning: Four types of drinks to avoid – can cause ‘hardening’ of arteries Some women who experienced pandemic stress also suffered longer, heavier and more frequent periods (Image: Getty Images)’Stress can manifest in women’s bodies as changes in menstrual function, and we know that the pandemic has been an incredibly stressful time for many people.’As part of the study participants completed a two-part survey that included a validated COVID-19 stress scale as well as self-reported menstrual cycle changes, from March 2020 to May 2021.Participants were people aged 18 to 45 who identified as women and were not taking hormonal birth control.Out of the 354 people who finished both parts of the survey, 10.5 percent reported high stress.DON’T MISSThe ‘first noticeable’ sign that cholesterol is dangerously clogging your arteries [INSIGHT]Man, 56, rapidly declines from B12 deficiency shortly after the ‘ball of his feet’ play up [INFORMER]High blood pressure: 12 nitrate-rich foods to reduce hypertension [EXPERT] Women found “risk of COVID-19 infection more stressful than men,” a researcher said (Image: Getty Images) Covid symptoms compared to colds and flu (Image: Express.co.uk)Ms Anto-Ocrah added: ‘We know that the pandemic has had negative economic impacts for a lot of people.’If changes to your flow during a time of economic distress increase period-related costs – or the ‘tampon tax’ – economically, it’s a double whammy.’Other symptoms of Covid include:A high temperature or shiveringA new, continuous coughA loss or change to your sense of smell or tasteShortness of breathFeeling tired or exhaustedAn aching bodyA headacheA sore throatA blocked or runny noseLoss of appetiteDiarrhoeaFeeling sick or being sick.