biostudies-literatureUnknown19(20)Bruinvels GThis research investigated the implications that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the menstrual cycle and any contributing factors to these changes. A questionnaire was completed by 559 eumenorrheic participants, capturing detail on menstrual cycle symptoms and characteristics prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. Over half of all participants reported to have experienced lack of motivation (61.5%), focus (54.7%) and concentration (57.8%). 52.8% of participants reported an increase in cycle length. Specifically, there was an increase in the median cycle length reported of 5 days (minimum 2 days, maximum 32 days), with a median decrease of 3 days (minimum 2 days and maximum 17 days). A lack of focus was significantly associated with a change in menstrual cycle length (<i>p</i> = 0.038) reported to have increased by 61% of participants. Changes to eating patterns of white meat (increase <i>p</i> = 0.035, decrease <i>p</i> = 0.003) and processed meat (increase <i>p</i> = 0.002 and decrease <i>p</i> = 0.001) were significantly associated with a change in menstrual cycle length. It is important that females and practitioners become aware of implications of environmental stressors and the possible long-term effects on fertility. Future research should continue to investigate any long-lasting changes in symptoms, as well as providing education and support for females undergoing any life stressors that may implicate their menstrual cycle and/or symptoms.International journal of environmental research and public health13622https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9602509biostudies-literatureHow Lifestyle Changes during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic Affected the Pattern and Symptoms of the Menstrual Cycle.PMC9602509Bruinvels GBlagrove RCPiasecki JGoldsmith EMartin DShaw LfalseHow Lifestyle Changes during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic Affected the Pattern and Symptoms of the Menstrual Cycle.This research investigated the implications that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the menstrual cycle and any contributing factors to these changes. A questionnaire was completed by 559 eumenorrheic participants, capturing detail on menstrual cycle symptoms and characteristics prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. Over half of all participants reported to have experienced lack of motivation (61.5%), focus (54.7%) and concentration (57.8%). 52.8% of participants reported an increase in cycle length. Specifically, there was an increase in the median cycle length reported of 5 days (minimum 2 days, maximum 32 days), with a median decrease of 3 days (minimum 2 days and maximum 17 days). A lack of focus was significantly associated with a change in menstrual cycle length (<i>p</i> = 0.038) reported to have increased by 61% of participants. Changes to eating patterns of white meat (increase <i>p</i> = 0.035, decrease <i>p</i> = 0.003) and processed meat (increase <i>p</i> = 0.002 and decrease <i>p</i> = 0.001) were significantly associated with a change in menstrual cycle length. It is important that females and practitioners become aware of implications of environmental stressors and the possible long-term effects on fertility. Future research should continue to investigate any long-lasting changes in symptoms, as well as providing education and support for females undergoing any life stressors that may implicate their menstrual cycle and/or symptoms.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2025-04-18T21:21:07.411Z2025-04-07T09:14:16.889ZS-EPMC96025093629420010.3390/ijerph192013622