We’re in year 2 of the COVID-19 pandemic y’all! I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia which has been relatively chill since September 2020, and we’ve recently entered the third wave as well. I’m starting a 4 week lockdown with my community, and we’re also getting vaccinated in larger numbers.
As a menstrual health nerd and researcher, my colleagues and I have been sharing news stories, aunti knowledge, and word-of-mouth accounts of how the COVID-19 vaccine is affecting people’s periods. We’re also gearing up to start research projects on the topic as well. Here’s what I can see happening so far:
There will likely be some change. Periods are a natural way our body composts what we’ve absorbed. Our periods will be helping to shed what our bodies don’t need anymore from the vaccine. Everyone will experience this in a different way.
In an Instagram post I shared in April 2021, lots of our community members at @imwithperiods have shared their first periods experiences after the vaccine. So far the responses have been largely neutral, which is a great early sign. However, more research and surveys are definitely needed before we can make any general comments about the effects of the vaccine on menstrual cycles.
In the meantime, let’s keep the knowledge sharing going! If you’ve gotten the vaccine, I'd love to hear what your experience has been like so far. Sending you all solidarity vibes as we cycle into unknown futures everyone.
Hi & Sat Sri Akal, I’m ਤਕਦੀਰ ਕੌਰ Dr. Taq Kaur Bhandal, the CEO of I’m With Periods. To learn from me, enroll in my online courses for women and our boyfriends or get a copy of my book Self-Care Down There. I am physically based in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Mi’kmaq Treaty Territories. I was born and raised on the west coast of Canada close to Vancouver, British Columbia. My ancestors and family are from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. I’m passionate about long walks in the forest with my fiancé and dog, and reading rom-coms in the bath.