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Covid-19's tentacles are elongated. The arrival of the virus has not only meant the appearance of a new disease that can be serious . It is also seriously affecting other spheres of our lives, such as social, work or economic.

Due to all this, anxiety and stress are increasing, as reflected by several indicators. And this effect could also be reflected in the female menstrual cycle .

Through social networks, several women have wondered these days if the delays and disorders they were noticing in their menstrual cycle could be related to the situation they are experiencing.

Jackie Calleja, a gynecology specialist at the Ruber International Hospital in Madrid, answers her question: "It has been shown that stress, anxiety or fear can alter biological and hormonal rhythms and, therefore, affect the menstrual cycle," he explains.

"It would not be unreasonable, therefore, to think that in some women the fear of the virus and the confinement situation were causing alterations such as menstrual delays," adds the specialist, who ensures that these effects are usually seen in times of tests or situations of great work requirement.

Also mood disturbances, such as those resulting from a close death, "can induce menstruation failure," Calleja continues.

Normally, the vast majority of these alterations "are not important and spontaneously revert", he clarifies.

Roberto Lertxundi, gynecologist and member of the executive committee of the European Society of Contraception, confirms that "stress and anxiety can undoubtedly cause menstrual disorders."

However, in his opinion, the month and a half that has passed since the onset of alertness is still a very short period to "assess generalized changes in the cycles."

"We now have a tendency to blame everything on the coronavirus and not everything is due to the pandemic," he stresses.

On the other hand, the specialist recalls that a menstrual delay or alteration in a single month "should not be a cause for alarm."

There are other causes that can cause disorders or loss of menstruation, experts said. Pregnancy is the most obvious, but some drugs, the practice of very intense physical exercise, accelerated weight loss or diseases such as diabetes or cancer can also cause this effect, although these latter disorders are accompanied by other warning signs .

"Most of the time, the processes are solved spontaneously," concludes Calleja, who only recommends consulting with a specialist if the disorders last over time.

In his clinical experience these days, Calleja also claims to have noticed a certain delay in the delivery of births. "It is probably related to confinement and inactivity, as this is crucial for contractions," he explains.

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