[LISTEN]: Where Did My Period Go?: Answers from OB-GYN Dr. Shirazian
We know the questions on your mind: "If the Covid Vaccine has no affect on periods, then why did I lose mine for a few months after I got the vaccine?" or, "What's the best time to get the booster if you're pregnant?" or "Is it OK to get the vaccine in my first trimester? Should I worry about miscarriage?" In this informative talk with Board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Taraneh Shirazian, founder of Mommy Matters and the global nonprofit Saving Mothers, you’ll get the FACTS, STATS, and some super clear analogies that will put you at ease, and even help dispel any myths thrown at you from the vaccine hesitant.
OB-GYN Dr. Taraneh Shirazian
Here’s the TLDL (Too Long Didn’t Listen) version:
(Highlights from the conversation, adapted from quotes from Dr. Shirazian.)
Your body sees vaccines as “stressors”: “If you take any new medication, if you get any routine vaccine, if you have any stress on your body or system [ex: new exercise routine, weight loss, weight gain], you could throw off your period cycling; usually, what's been reported is skipping a period or the period coming later than usual, a delay in the menstrual cycle.”
Pregnancy vaccine rates are low: Only about 20 to 25% of pregnant women (one of the most vulnerable populations) have gotten vaccinated.
Pregnant folks should be encouraged to get the vaccine : Babies are born with “an army of cells” that protect newborns against disease. Pregnant folks can further protect their babies by getting the vaccine.
It is a good idea to get a booster during pregnancy: Immunity and amount of antibodies wanes over time.
“There is no biological mechanism by which the vaccine can affect fertility.”
How COVID affects pregnant folks:
increased risk of severe illness in pregnancy
increase risk of delivering before 37 weeks
pregnant Black or Hispanic folks appear to be disproportionately affected: Pregnant women who have underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, also might be at even higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.
Doctors do not believe vaccines increase rates of miscarriage: The rate has not gone up from pre-Covid times. The rate is still what it has always been, which is that one in three women will experience a miscarriage in their lifetime.
*This audio was originally recorded as a Zoom with our Mom Group members, but we thought the information here should be accessible to everyone, and shared widely.
Other audios you may want to listen to in our blog right now:
R&R Labs Podcast Interview of our founder, Alexis: “It’s Not That ‘Men Suck’ — Support For Mothers in General Sucks” and How to Protect Your Mental Health In A Pandemic, an IG Live With Psychotherapist Nneka Symister, LCSW.
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