Long Covid linked to heavier periods and risk of iron deficiency

Research points to a two-way effect, with long Covid affecting periods and hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affecting long Covid symptoms. Photograph: Posed by model; Vadym Pastukh/Alamy

Women with long Covid are prone to longer, heavier periods, which could put them at greater risk of iron deficiency that exacerbates common symptoms of the condition, doctors say.

The findings emerged from a UK survey of more than 12,000 women, which also found that the severity of long Covid symptoms rose and fell across the menstrual cycle and became worse when women had their periods.