COVID-19 Infection Triggers Lasting Hormone Changes and Reproductive Health Problems in Women
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 19, 2025 2 weeks, 5 days, 6 hours, 40 minutes ago
Thailand Medical News: A new clinical study from Kazakhstan has uncovered troubling evidence that COVID-19 may leave behind lasting effects on the reproductive and hormonal health of women long after recovery. By analyzing 150 women of childbearing age, researchers found that a significant number of those who had previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed structural abnormalities in their reproductive organs and signs of hormonal imbalance—issues not seen in women who had never contracted the virus.
COVID-19 Infection Triggers Lasting Hormone Changes and Reproductive Health Problems in Women
The study was conducted by researchers from Kazakhstan Medical University “Higher School of Public Health,” the International Clinical Center of Reproductology “PERSONA,” Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University. Their goal was to understand whether post-COVID women were at higher risk for gynecological issues and how the virus might affect hormone production and regulation.
This
Thailand Medical News report covers the study which enrolled two groups: 75 women who had tested positive for COVID-19 between 2021 and 2022, and 75 who had no known history of infection. All participants were between 18 and 45 years old. They underwent pelvic and breast ultrasounds, as well as blood tests to assess reproductive and thyroid hormones, along with inflammation markers.
Ovarian Inflammation and Structural Abnormalities After COVID-19
One of the most significant findings was the prevalence of structural damage to the pelvic organs among women who had recovered from COVID-19. In this group, 53.5% showed abnormalities such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or signs of chronic endometriosis—compared to just 12% in the uninfected control group.
Oophoritis, an inflammatory condition affecting the ovaries, was especially prominent, detected in 13.3% of post-COVID women. In contrast, only 1.3% of women in the control group had this issue. Statistically, this means women who had COVID-19 were over 11 times more likely to develop oophoritis, which can affect ovarian function and fertility.
Other structural concerns included uterine fibroids (12% in the post-COVID group vs. 2.7% in controls) and pelvic varicose veins, with a trend toward higher prevalence in the post-infection group even if not all results were statistically significant.
Hormone Disruptions and Inflammation Markers Elevated
Alongside structural changes, the researchers observed signs of ongoing hormonal disruption. Women in the post-COVID group had significantly higher levels of estradiol and ferritin, and elevated fibrinogen levels—markers that indicate inflammation and possible endocrine disturbance.
Estradiol, a key female sex hormone, was much higher in post-COVID women (median 57 pg/mL) compared to those in the control group (median 11.2 pg/mL). This could point to an abnormal hormonal fee
dback loop, possibly driven by inflammation or damage to hormone-producing organs.
The study also found that levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)—which reflects ovarian reserve—were slightly lower in women post-COVID, hinting at potential long-term effects on fertility. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which regulates metabolism and reproductive health, was also lower, although not significantly so.
Menstrual Irregularities and Breast Cysts More Common After Infection
Menstrual irregularities were reported by 36% of women in the post-COVID group, compared to just 20% in the control group. These included skipped periods, very short or very long cycles, and increased discomfort. These irregularities suggest that COVID-19 may be disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis—a hormonal system responsible for menstrual regulation.
Ultrasound scans of the mammary glands revealed that breast cysts and fibrocystic changes were also more common in post-COVID women. Although these differences did not reach statistical significance, the patterns mirror those seen in the pelvic organs and suggest widespread effects on hormone-sensitive tissues.
Why These Findings Matter
While only oophoritis and menstrual irregularities were statistically significant, the overall trends paint a concerning picture of how COVID-19 may quietly affect the reproductive and hormonal systems in women, even months after they have recovered from the acute phase of the illness.
The researchers caution that many of these changes are not obvious and can go undiagnosed without proper imaging and laboratory workups. Silent structural and hormonal shifts could impact fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and overall quality of life.
Conclusions and Recommendations
This study highlights the urgent need for gynecological and hormonal monitoring in women who have recovered from COVID-19. The presence of ovarian inflammation, hormone imbalances, and menstrual dysfunction could signal deeper disruptions in reproductive health that may emerge more clearly over time.
The findings suggest that COVID-19 may trigger inflammatory and endocrine changes that persist long after infection, potentially increasing the risk of conditions such as oophoritis, fibroids, and fertility decline. While further studies are needed to understand the exact mechanisms, healthcare providers are encouraged to screen post-COVID women—especially those with irregular cycles or pelvic symptoms—for these silent abnormalities.
Routine ultrasound assessments and blood hormone tests could be key in identifying early signs of post-infectious complications. Personalized reproductive care and hormone management may help mitigate long-term risks and improve outcomes for women planning pregnancies after COVID.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Diagnostics.
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/12/1536
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to
Thailand Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-reduces-anti-mullerian-hormone-in-women-of-reproductive-age-effects-on-male-fetuses-still-unknown
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/the-impact-of-postmenopausal-medications-on-covid-19-progression-in-women
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-medical-researchers-from-portugal-warn-that-sars-cov-2-infections-can-lead-to-vulvar-ulceration-in-girls-and-women
Share
Tweet
Share
