|
|
|
|
Effectiveness of modified therapy for post-COVID ovarian-endometrial dysregulative cycle disorders
A.O. Petruk, O.O. Lytvak
- State Institution of Science «Center of innovative healthcare technologies» State Administrative Department, Kyiv, Ukraine
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/fz71.06.095

Abstract
Post-COVID syndrome has an impact on women of reproductive age, causing menstrual cycle disorders
that are pathophysiologically associated with the multisystem consequences of COVID-19, including
endothelial dysfunction, microthrombosis, and neuroendocrine disturbances affecting the function of the
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes. Existing treatment protocols are
primarily focused on classical causes such as hormonal imbalance and structural abnormalities, but they
often fail to take into account the vascular, immune, and neuroendocrine mechanisms induced by SARS-
CoV-2. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of a pathogenetically based
modified therapy for menstrual cycle disorders in women after COVID-19 compared with standard treatment
protocols. The study included 158 women of reproductive age with menstrual disorders in the post-COVID
period. Patients of group 2 (n = 78) received treatment according to the Unified Clinical Protocols of the
Ministry of Health of Ukraine, clinical guidelines, and international recommendations. Patients of group
1 (n = 80) received a modified comprehensive pathogenetic regimen that included hormonal, vascular-
metabolic, neuroendocrine, and micronutrient support. Treatment schemes were adapted depending on
the type of disorder (polymenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, menometrorrhagia, opsoligomenorrhea, secondary
amenorrhea). According to the results of the study, the relapse rate after treatment in group 1 was significantly
lower for all types of disorders: polymenorrhea – 13.3% vs. 73.3%, hypomenorrhea – 8.7% vs. 69.6%,
opsoligomenorrhea – 16% vs. 56%, menometrorrhagia – 23.5% vs. 76.5%, amenorrhea – 20% vs. 80%.
Complete normalization of menstrual fu nction was observed in 72–84% of women in the main group
compared with 33–52% in the control group. A decrease in the need to modify the therapeutic regimen and
a significant improvement in treatment tolerability were also recorded (P < 0.05). Pathogenetically based
personalized therapy for menstrual cycle disorders in women after COVID-19 provides significantly better
outcomes than standard protocols. Elimination of vascular, immune, and neuroendocrine consequences of
COVID-19 is a key factor in the effective restoration of menstrual function in women of reproductive age
with post-COVID menstrual disorders.
Keywords:
Long-COVID; post-COVID syndrome; menstrual cycle disorders; reproductive health; vitamin and micronutrient supplementation; folic acid; quality of life; endothelial dysfunction
References
- World Health Organization. Post COVID-19 condition (Long COVID): Fact sheet. 26 Feb 2025. Geneva: WHO; 2025. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/ fact-sheets/detail/post-covid-19-condition.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long COVID Basics. 24 Jul 2025. Atlanta: CDC; 2025. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-termeffects/long-covid.html.
- Taşkaldıran İ, Yücel B, Gültekin B, Demir B. Menstrual changes after COVID-19 infection: a cross-sectional clinical study. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2022;159(2):457- 63. doi:10.1002/ijgo.14123.
CrossRef
PubMed
- Maham S, Raza M, Hussain A, Bibi H. Clinical spectrum of Long COVID and its effects on female reproductive health: a prospective observational study. J Womens Health Reprod Sci. 2024;12(4):215-24. doi:10.1186/ s13256-024-04218-y.
- Maybin JA, Critchley HOD, Greaves E. Long COVID is associated with abnormal uterine bleeding and cycle-linked symptom variability. Nat Commun. 2025;16(1):3482. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-03482-1.
- Yanai H. The significance of endothelial dysfunction in Long COVID: from pathophysiology to clinical management. Int J Mol Med. 2024;53(4):74-82. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2024.5431.
CrossRef
PubMed PubMedCentral
- Mroueh A, El-Achkar G, Zaidan H, et al. COVID-19 promotes endothelial dysfunction and thrombogenicity: implications for reproductive health. Front Cardiovascul Med. 2024;11:142103. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2024.142103.
- Facondo P, Maltese V , Delbarba A, Pirola I, Rotondi M, Ferlin A, Cappelli C. Hypothalamic amenorrhea following COVID-19 infection and review of literature. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022;13:840749. doi:10.3389/ fendo.2022.840749.
CrossRef
PubMed PubMedCentral
- Vigil P, Meléndez J, Soto H, Petkovic G, Bernal YA, Molina S. Chronic stress and ovulatory dysfunction: implications in times of COVID-19. Front Glob Womens Health. 2022;3:866104. doi:10.3389/fgwh.2022.866104.
CrossRef
PubMed PubMedCentral
- Munro MG, Critchley HO, Fraser IS. The FIGO systems for nomenclature and classification of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive years: who needs them? Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2012;207(4):259-65. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2012.01.046.
CrossRef
PubMed
- International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). PALM-COEIN classification of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding: revised clinical guidance. London: FIGO; 2025. Available from: https://www.figo. org/resources/palm-coein-classification.
- Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Clinical Guideline "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)." Register No. 00953. Kyiv: Ministry of Health of Ukraine, State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine; 2018. Available from: https://dec.gov.ua.
- Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Clinical Guideline "Abnormal Uterine Bleeding." Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 353 of Apr 13, 2016. Kyiv: Ministry of Health of Ukraine; 2016. Available from: https://dec. gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2016_353_ykpmd_ amk.pdf.
- Alves NAR, Bosch CHW, Gründmann FLR. Changes in the menstrual cycle secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. J Clin Stud Med Case Rep. 2024;11:232.
CrossRef
- Szczerbiński Ł, Okruszko MA, Szabłowski M, Sołomacha S, Sowa P, Kiszkiel Ł, Gościk J, Krętowski AJ, Moniuszko-Malinowska A, Kamiński K. Long-term effects of COVID-19 on the endocrine system: a pilot case-control study. Front Endocrinol. 2023;14:1192174. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1192174.
CrossRef
PubMed PubMedCentral
- Moustakli E, Stavros S, Michaelidis TM, Potiris A, Christodoulaki C, Zachariou A, Drakakis P, Zikopoulos K, Domali E, Zikopoulos A. Long-term effects of COVID-19 on women's reproductive health and its association with autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. J Clin Med. 2025;14(9):3057. doi:10.3390/ jcm14093057.
CrossRef
PubMed PubMedCentral
- Kondratska OA, Meshko VV , Yanchii RI. Cytoprotective effect of quercetin on ovarian cells under oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide. Fiziol Zh. 2025;71(3):61- 6. DOI: CrossRef
CrossRef
|
|
|
|
|
|
|