Cases of Menstrual Abnormalities Following Vaccination Continue... "Bleeding Enough to Soak a Sheet"

Petitioner "Cannot Report Side Effects Even When Spotting Occurs"
'Abnormal Reaction Case of Spotting After Vaccination'... Authorities "Investigating Causality"

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As cases of women reporting abnormal reactions such as irregular bleeding after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine have emerged, a petition has recently been posted requesting that menstrual irregularities also be allowed to be reported as vaccine side effects.

On the 31st of last month, a petition titled "Please allow women's irregular bleeding (metrorrhagia) to be reported as a COVID-19 vaccine side effect" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 5:30 PM on the 1st, the petition had received support from about 4,490 people.

The petitioner stated, "There are frequent cases of women experiencing irregular bleeding even when it is not their menstrual cycle after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine," and added, "However, it is frustrating that these cases are not accepted as vaccine side effects even when reported."

She continued, "For women, bleeding outside of their menstrual period is the most frightening event. But when they go to the hospital, they are only prescribed birth control pills or told to take Tylenol, and not only is it not recognized as a COVID-19 side effect, but it is not even eligible for reporting, which is very frustrating," she lamented.

She further pointed out, "When searching online, there are many reports from women experiencing irregular bleeding after vaccination. There is no research on the correlation, and it is incomprehensible that this symptom cannot even be reported."

Additionally, the petitioner emphasized, "Women suffering pain and fear from irregular bleeding have nowhere to appeal to," and urged, "I petition that at least for case studies, it should be possible to report abnormal symptoms after vaccination."

A citizen is receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In fact, recently, posts about menstrual irregularities such as irregular bleeding and menstrual disorders after vaccination have been continuously appearing on online communities.

A netizen who identified herself as a woman in her 20s wrote on her blog that the day after receiving the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, "There was enough bleeding to soak a sheet," and said, "When I went to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic, they said it was irregular bleeding and that many people experience it after vaccination, but I am really upset that this is not being disclosed."

Other netizens posted comments such as "My menstrual cycle suddenly changed after vaccination," "After the first Pfizer dose, my period came ten days early," and "I did not have my period for over 50 days after the first vaccine dose."

Not only in Korea but also overseas, there have been reports of abnormal cases such as women starting menstruation again after menopause following COVID-19 vaccination.

Researchers at the University of Illinois in the United States compiled a report based on cases of about 140,000 women who experienced menstrual irregularities after vaccination, including women who had not menstruated for several years but experienced bleeding after vaccination.

Subsequently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted its own investigation and confirmed menstrual irregularities as a potential side effect. However, local doctors reportedly stated that while irregular menstruation can affect pregnancy cycles, it is not a level of concern.

Meanwhile, the government plans to investigate the causal relationship between vaccination and menstrual irregularities.

On the 1st, Jo Eun-hee, head of the Safety Vaccination Management Division of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, said at a briefing, "Although no official overseas data has suggested a link to menstrual irregularities, the authorities are collecting data and reports, and if there is a correlation or causal relationship, we will provide guidance as soon as possible."

Jo also emphasized that it is possible to report all abnormal reactions, including menstrual irregularities. She stated, "There is no standard that excludes certain symptoms from being considered adverse reactions to vaccination," and added, "We accept all signs, symptoms, and diseases regardless of causality after vaccination."

She added, "It is not true that reports cannot be made because unknown adverse reactions are coming in," and said, "You can report them under 'other items.'"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.