There are many rumors about how COVID and COVID vaccination can affect your chances of getting pregnant. New information is surfacing every day and our understanding continues to evolve – here we provide the most up-to-date evidence on what you need to know about COVID and your fertility.
Will the COVID vaccine affect my periods?
Many patients have heard reports of the COVID vaccine changing menstruation patterns and causing irregular bleeding. While this may be the case for some patients, any effect of the vaccine on periods is brief, and there is no evidence that these temporary, reversible changes cause fertility problems.
Should I get the COVID vaccine if I'm trying to conceive?
Yes! The CDC recommends vaccination whether you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or might become pregnant in the future. Receiving the COVID vaccine does not impact your chances of becoming pregnant whether you are trying on your own or undergoing fertility treatment.
But what if I become pregnant before I get the vaccine or booster?
Getting the COVID vaccine during pregnancy does not increase the risk of pregnancy complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, or stillbirth. In fact, those outcomes are more likely to happen if you actually develop COVID during your pregnancy, and pregnant patients with COVID are at risk of becoming sicker than nonpregnant patients with COVID. Importantly, none of the COVID vaccines cross the placenta, but the antibodies that you develop after vaccination can cross the placenta and provide protection to the baby after delivery.
How does COVID infection affect my fertility?
It does not appear that contracting COVID significantly affects your likelihood of getting pregnant, though there is not a lot of information about this. One study did find that if a male partner develops a fever from a COVID infection, there may be temporary reductions in sperm count and motility, though it is unclear if this change actually affects pregnancy rates.
Where can I get the COVID vaccine?
Most pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid offer walk-in COVID vaccine clinics. We strongly recommend becoming vaccinated (or being up-to-date on your booster shots) before starting fertility treatment.