Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 02, 2025 9 hours, 57 minutes ago
Medical News: Study Reveals Disturbing Long-Term Effects on Fertility and Autoimmune Health
Researchers from the University of Ioannina and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens have issued a powerful warning: COVID-19 may be leaving behind more than respiratory damage—it could be silently impacting women’s reproductive health and increasing their risk of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
Greek Researchers Warn of Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Women's Health
The study, conducted by experts in genetics, obstetrics, gynecology, and immunology from these two Greek institutions, found that even after recovering from COVID-19, many women continued to experience menstrual changes, fertility issues, and pregnancy complications. Even more concerning, this
Medical News report highlights that women may also face a heightened risk of developing autoimmune diseases due to long COVID’s ability to disrupt immune function.
Irregular Periods Fertility Issues and Pregnancy Complications
According to the researchers, women infected with SARS-CoV-2 frequently reported menstrual cycle abnormalities such as missed periods, heavier or irregular bleeding, and altered cycle lengths. These changes were believed to be linked to both hormonal imbalances and immune-related inflammation.
Some women also faced unexpected challenges in getting pregnant or maintaining pregnancies. Preliminary data suggested a potential rise in miscarriages and preterm births, with placental inflammation and impaired blood flow cited as possible causes. There is increasing concern that even mild cases of COVID-19 could leave behind lingering reproductive issues, especially in those with preexisting conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.
COVID-19 and Autoimmunity in Women
Beyond reproductive effects, the study dove into COVID-19’s ability to disturb immune regulation in ways that can trigger or worsen autoimmune diseases—particularly in women who already make up the majority of autoimmune disease cases.
The researchers identified three key biological mechanisms at play:
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Immune hyperactivation: COVID-19 overstimulates the immune system, leading it to attack healthy tissues.
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Molecular mimicry: The virus shares structural similarities with human proteins, prompting immune confusion.
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Chronic inflammation: Even after infection, some individuals show persistent inflammation, which fuels disease progression.
This trifecta can set off or exacerbate conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and particularly MS—a disease already known to be more common in women.
COVID-19 May Trigger or Accelerate MS in Some Women
Multipl
e sclerosis, a chronic condition where the immune system attacks the central nervous system, has been observed to worsen in some women post-COVID. The virus appears capable of accelerating MS progression, with symptoms like vision loss, fatigue, and muscle weakness increasing. There are even documented cases where women with no prior diagnosis developed MS-like neurological complications after recovering from COVID-19.
The researchers explained that this could be due to cytokine storms—high levels of immune chemicals like IL-6 and IFN-gamma—that damage protective nerve coverings. Additionally, the structural similarity between the virus and myelin (the substance covering nerves) may confuse the immune system into attacking the body.
Assisted Reproduction at Risk Too
For women undergoing fertility treatments like IVF, the findings are equally concerning. Post-COVID patients have shown reduced levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a marker of ovarian reserve. This could affect success rates in assisted reproductive technologies, although more studies are still needed to confirm this link.
Meanwhile, pregnant women who caught the virus were found to have increased rates of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. In some cases, the infection even led to complications in fetal development.
The Bigger Picture and Call for Gender Specific Research
The researchers stressed the urgent need for more gender-specific studies to understand why women appear more vulnerable to COVID-19’s long-term effects. They called for the development of specialized long COVID clinics, where gynecologists, neurologists, and immunologists can work together to treat complex overlapping symptoms in women.
They also highlighted the psychological burden many women face when their symptoms are misunderstood or misdiagnosed. In some cases, long COVID symptoms are dismissed as stress or anxiety, delaying proper care.
Conclusion
The study sends a strong message—COVID-19’s legacy on women’s health is deeper and more dangerous than previously believed. From menstrual changes and fertility issues to new or worsening autoimmune diseases, the virus’s long-term impact on female biology is still unfolding. More research and specialized care are urgently needed. Women must not be left behind in the global COVID-19 recovery narrative.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed Journal of Clinical Medicine.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/9/3057
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-impairs-ovarian-function-and-causes-premature-ovarian-failure-in-women-below-40
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-alarming-case-shows-omicron-and-newer-sars-cov-2-strains-can-still-damage-placenta-in-pregnant-women
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/persistent-endothelial-dysfunction-oxidative-stress-and-lipid-peroxidation-are-found-in-women-with-post-covid-19-health-issues
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