Association Between Vaccination for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Autonomic Dysfunction and Menstrual...

Limited research has addressed safety concerns related to vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV).

To investigate the association between receipt of HPV vaccination and autonomic dysfunction and menstrual irregularities in girls and young women.

Using a 25% random sample of IQVIA PharMetrics^® Plus for Academics claims database from 2016 to 2020, we conducted a self-controlled case series study in commercially insured girls and young women receiving their first HPV vaccine dose (analyses conducted between March 2024 and April 2025). Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for two outcomes-autonomic dysfunction and menstrual irregularities. We conducted further analyses stratified by number of HPV vaccine doses received per beneficiary and by age (9-17 years vs. 18-26 years), as well as adjusted for age as a time-varying covariate. The IRRs were estimated over a maximum risk case post-vaccination period of 36 months compared to a 6-month within-person control pre-vaccination period.

There were 1654 individuals in the autonomic dysfunction cohort and 3140 individuals in the menstrual irregularities cohort. When adjusted for age, HPV vaccination was associated with elevated IRRs for autonomic dysfunction (IRR 1.23; 95% CI 1.08-1.41) and menstrual irregularities (IRR 1.30; 95% CI 1.18-1.43). IRRs for individual outcomes varied by age group, with the younger cohort showing a significantly higher age-adjusted IRR than the older cohort for menstrual irregularities (IRR 1.51; 95% CI 1.33-1.72 vs. IRR 1.15; 95% CI 0.99-1.33, respectively). Although the risk of experiencing autonomic dysfunction was not significant in the adjusted younger cohort, young women aged 18-26 years had a heightened age-adjusted risk (IRR 1.40; 95% CI 1.12-1.75). Findings from the dose-response analysis were inconclusive.

HPV vaccination is associated with elevated risks of autonomic dysfunction and menstrual irregularities, which vary by age. Further research is needed to identify additional risk factors associated with HPV vaccination safety.