ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: Many women reported experiencing abnormalities in their cycle after being vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccination. To understand this issue further, our study aimed to evaluate the menstrual cycle patterns among women of childbearing age after receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the impact of COVID-19 vaccine on women aged 18 years and above in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed among participants who had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The questionnaire included questions about the participants' demographic characteristics, medical history, and vaccine-related adverse events. Results: The study included 383 female participants with an average age of 30.8 ± 8.1 years. The majority of participants, 92.7%, were Saudi, and more than half, 51.4%, were single. Of the participants, 78.9% were disease-free, and a majority of 67.9% had no history of Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection. A significant proportion of participants reported postvaccination changes in the menstrual cycle. Specifically, 43.1% reported changes after the first dose, and 38.4% reported changes after the second dose (p = 0.044). The severity of premenstrual symptoms increased from 44 (11.5%) to 113 (29.5%) after the first dose. Reported pain on the (WONG-BAKER) scale was also significantly elevated from 34 (8.9%) to 87 (22.7%) (p < 0.001) after the first dose. Conclusion: A relatively high prevalence of menstrual cycle irregularities was reported by Saudi vaccinated women, particularly young adults. These findings suggest the need to further research and explore the underlying causes of these irregularities and develop interventions that may help mitigate their impact on women's health. It is also recommended that women who observe long-term changes in their menstrual cycles seek follow-up and consultation with healthcare providers to ensure that any potential health concerns are addressed promptly.
ABSTRACT
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a considered one of the most common female disorders associated with reproductive, metabolic, and psychological problems. The etiology of PCOS is still not yet disclosed; however, evidence for a genetic basis has been reported. In this study, we investigate the associations between superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) (rs4880) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) (rs705379) polymorphisms in PCOS in Saudi women. The study included 99 females with PCOS and 98 healthy women as a control. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of promoter regions were determined using TaqMan genotyping assays. Regarding the polymorphism at SOD2 (rs4880), the CC, CT, and TT genotypes were present at rates of 32, 61, and 7% in PCOS patients, and 47, 43, and 10% in controls, respectively. The frequency of the CT genotype in PCOS patients (0.61) was significantly higher than in controls (0.43) (OR = 2.05, CI: 1.16-3.61; p = 0.015). The wild homozygous genotype (CC) with the phenotype alanine appears to confer protection against the disease compared to molecules sharing at least one valine (genotypes, CT + TT). Regarding the polymorphism at PON1 (rs705379), the rates of CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 34, 50, and 16% in PCOS patients and 33, 63, and 2% in controls, respectively. The rate of the TT genotype in PCOS patients was significantly higher than that in controls (p = 0.0058). SOD2 and PON1 polymorphisms may be genetic factors that affect the occurrence of PCOS in Saudi females.
