Skip to main content
. 2023 Jan 11;63(3):720–724. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.01.003

Table 1.

Counseling points and resources

Topic Counseling points Additional resources to help guide patient-centered decisions
Menstrual cycle
  • Possible menstrual cycle changes owing to COVID-19 infection-related stress in addition to the COVID-19 vaccines have been noted.

  • Changes may include modest alterations in menstrual cycle length, earlier than anticipated menses in the cycle after vaccination, and potential for heavier menses.

Fertility
  • COVID-19 vaccination has not demonstrated an impact male or female infertility.

  • COVID-19 infection may have an impact on sperm.

  • Patients trying to conceive should receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

  • Vaccination should not be delayed until after fertility treatments or after pregnancy.

Pregnancy/lactation
  • Infection during pregnancy has been associated with increased severity of disease, adverse gestational outcomes, and increased risk of preterm birth.

  • No evidence to date demonstrates adverse effects of the vaccine on maternal, gestational, or infant health.

  • COVID-19-positive individuals should continue breast-/chestfeeding using proper PPE.

  • Pregnant and lactating patients should receive vaccinations, including a booster, against COVID-19.

  • mRNA vaccines are preferred.

TE
  • COVID-19 infection increases TE risk

  • Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 should discontinue estrogen products

  • Slightly increased risk of TE with AstraZeneca vaccination compared with Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech

  • Slightly increased risk of CVST with J&J vaccine

  • Benefits of receiving vaccines outweigh risks

  • Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines preferred over J&J and AstraZeneca

  • Counsel on TE risks and warning signs

Abbreviations used: ACOG, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; ASRM, American Society for Reproductive Medicine; CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; CVST, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis; J&J, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson; mRNA, messenger ribonucleic acid; PPE, personal protective equipment; TE, thromboembolism.