Why Starting A Family Shouldn't Prevent You From Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine

There are many things you have to start thinking about when you want to begin a family. Diet, lifestyle, and health changes can all affect fertility and your ability to get pregnant. With so much misinformation being spread about the COVID-19 vaccine, it is understandable that people hoping to get pregnant may be wary about getting vaccinated. However, several studies have found that the COVID-19 vaccine does not affect fertility (via CNN). A recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology concluded that there is no connection between COVID-19 vaccines and fertility. The study also found that couples decreased their chance of conceiving if the man had caught the coronavirus within 60 days.

"These findings indicate that male SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with a short-term decline in fertility and that COVID-19 vaccination does not impair fertility in either partner," researchers wrote in the study. "This adds to the evidence from animal studies, studies of humans undergoing fertility treatment, and the COVID-19 vaccine trials, none of which found an association between COVID-19 vaccination and lower fertility." If you are hoping to start a family, your best bet is to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.

A recent study regarding women's menstrual cycles also had some people concerned about the connection between COVID-19 vaccines and fertility. A recent study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that some women may experience a one-day increase in their menstrual cycle immediately following their vaccine administration. However, this should not be a cause for concern. This change is usually temporary and should resolve itself quickly. No other links to the reproductive system have been found, and experts say women should not be worried about this side effect. "The bottom line is, we really think these findings are reassuring for health and reproductive health," Dr. Alison Edelman, an OB/GYN and professor at the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland and the study's lead researcher, told CNN.

It is normal to be concerned about the potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, but numerous studies have found it to be safe and effective. Except in rare cases, any side effects from the vaccine are usually mild and temporary.