Menstrual symptoms variation among Lebanese women before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Pharmacy Practice

  • Rita Issa1School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.
  • Zelal Jaber Kharaba2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, 112612, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates., 3Honorary Associate lecturer, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon tyne, United Kingdom.
  • Vanessa Azzi1School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.
  • Sahar Obeid4Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon.
  • Toni Sawma5Psychology Department, College of Humanities, Effat University, Jeddah 21478, Saudi Arabia.
  • Amira S. A. Said6Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE., 7Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt.
  • Mohammad M. Al Ahmad2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, 112612, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  • Yassen Alfoteih8Department of Dental Surgery, City University College of Ajman, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
  • Diana Malaeb9School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon., 10College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
  • Souheil Hallit1School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon., 5Psychology Department, College of Humanities, Effat University, Jeddah 21478, Saudi Arabia., 11Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, P.O. Box 60096, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.

Volume 20 Issue 3 Pages 1-8

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2699

Abstract

Objectives: Pandemic diseases and the confinement measures due to COVID-19 infection have introduced acute and persistent psychosocial stressors for different individuals with a greater influence on females manifested through changes in the menstrual cycle. The objective of this study was to assess Lebanese female of reproductive age about their menstrual cycle, their mental health, and their lifestyle, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Beirut blast, and the economic crises. Methods: A cross-sectional online study conducted between October and December 2021, enrolled 398 Lebanese women using the snowball technique. The Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) was used to assess menstrual symptoms. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess factors associated with the variation in MSQ scores after vs before the pandemic. Results: Our results showed that a significantly higher number of days of menses, number of pads per day and total MSQ score were significantly found after the pandemic compared to before it. More distress (Beta=0.68), more post-traumatic stress disorder due to COVID-19 (Beta=0.19), a higher number of waterpipes smoked per week (Beta=1.20) and being infected by COVID-19 compared to not (Beta=3.98) were significantly associated with an increase in the MSQ score after the pandemic compared to before it. Conclusion: Our main findings indicate that females had irregular menstrual cycles, unpredictable bleeding pattern, and intense symptoms severity post COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, stress post COVID-19 and Beirut blast tended to be associated with increased menstrual symptoms. Thus, vulnerable women should be identified and offered appropriate care, information, and awareness regarding their menstrual period during a pandemic.

Keywords

  • women
  • COVID-19
  • menstrual cycle
  • bleeding
  • distress
  • Lebanon
Pharmacy Practice

Loading…