Clinical characteristics of female long COVID patients with menstrual symptoms: a retrospective study from a Japanese outpatient clinic

Abstract

Purpose To elucidate the impact of long COVID on menstruation and mental health, medical records of patients with long COVID were evaluated. Methods Symptoms of long COVID, QOL, mental health, and related endocrine data were compared between two groups with and without menstrual disturbances. Results Of 349 female patients who visited our clinic between February 2021 and March 2023, 223 patients with long COVID (aged 18–50 years) were included. Forty-four (19.7%) of the patients had menstrual symptoms associated with long COVID. The patients with menstrual symptoms were older than those without menstrual symptoms (42.5 vs. 38 years). The percentage of patients with menstrual symptoms was higher during the Omicron phase (24%) than during the Preceding (13%) and Delta (12%) phases. Cycle irregularity was the most frequent (in 63.6% of the patients), followed by severe pain (25%), heavy bleeding (20.5%), perimenopausal symptoms (18.2%), and premenstrual syndrome (15.9%). Fatigue and depression were the most frequent complications. Scores for fatigue and for QOL were significantly worse in long COVID patients with menstrual symptoms. Results of endocrine examinations showed significantly increased cortisol levels in patients with menstrual complaints. Conclusion Long COVID has an impact on menstrual conditions and on QOL related to menstrual conditions.