Well, you dont actually have the influenza virus, but your body is mimicking similar symptoms. Period flu refers to a pattern of flu-like symptoms that happen every month at the same time in your cycle, usually between ovulation and your period. Of course, if your period flu significantly impacts your day-to-day routine, and you must miss school or work consistently, it's a good idea to chat with your healthcare provider to develop a plan to help you feel better fast. Period flu is not a legit medical term but it refers to the sick feeling most females get at the time of arrival of periods. While "period flu" is not a formal medical term or diagnosis, Alyssa Dweck, MD, a practicing gynecologist in Westchester County, New York and host of the podcast Business of the V, knows exactly what I'm talking about. Others feel lousy throughout their period. Experts believe that changes in the levels of certain chemicals in your body during or before your period have a link to premenstrual symptoms. Here's a brief reminder of how your menstrual cycle works: Period flu is often categorized as part of PMS because the symptoms can be similar. Dysmenorrhea, the correct term for painful periods, can be treated with the help of your doctor. The main thing to recognize is that these symptoms occur at the same time every month and improve or disappear once your period comes. But many women also change up their lifestyle habits before their period starts, Dr. Dweck points out. Prostaglandins are hormone-like compounds that up-regulate inflammation in the body. The best type of hormonal birth control the pill, ring, patch, or intrauterine device (IUD) for managing period flu depends on your symptoms. Some people feel pain thats more sharp.. Some people will experience these flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to their period, while others will experience them the. Her work has been featured in the New York Post, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Bustle, The Guardian, Sports Illustrated, Elle, and ABC News. Prostaglandins and Period Flu Prostaglandins are hormone-like compounds that up-regulate inflammation in the body. Increased progesterone. And period flu's symptoms (many of which are the same as those of PMS) normally ease off a few days after your period starts, says Christine Greves, M.D., board-certified ob-gyn at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Florida. Severe pain and sickness before and during your period come in a couple of different flavors. Can Ibuprofen Really Reduce Your Period Flow? For example, chaste tree extracts, 1,0001,200 milligrams of calcium, or 50100 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily may reduce symptoms. Still, some people have flu-like symptoms like headache, fever, digestive distress, and fatigue before their periods. There are no studies that show your immune system is actually taking a hit. This article will help you understand the basics of period flu in more detail, including potential causes and what you can do for relief and prevention. 2014;8(4):74-79. Everyone has heard of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the constellation of physical and mental symptoms that happens when you are about to get your period. In addition to medications, supportive measures like heat and massage can help ease period flu symptoms. It isnt totally clear what causes it, but hormonal fluctuations likely play a big role. For instance, you might up your sugar and salty snack intake, which can cause swelling and inflammation, she explains. Office on Women's Health. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. For those with these intense symptoms, it can be hard to believe some people dont have moments of gripping pain associated with their cycle. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2017. Keep it simple by examining your sleep environment (too hot or loud?) Lastly, healthcare providers may take a blood sample to test for other possible health conditions with similar symptoms. No single medicine or lifestyle change can end the period flu. Just a quick refresher on the most common symptoms of COVID-19, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Of course, if youre not sure whats happening with you, Dr. Wider says you should take a COVID-19 test. Period flu isnt a medical term, but it can describe the intense sickness some people get around their period. Another powerful nutrient for hormone balance is diindolylmethane (DIM) which helps with estrogen detoxification. Feeling queasy and fatigued as you wait for your period to turn up could set off alarm bells and have you running to the drugstore for a pregnancy test. Villarreal notes that some people have more of a response to these inflammatory signals, such as the prostaglandins, that are released before and during their period. When too many prostaglandins find their way into your bloodstream when the uterine wall breaks down. Those include things like abdominal cramps, headache, tender breasts, and changes, Although PMDD shares many of the same symptoms as PMS, they're usually more severe. And the symptoms will generally occur on a monthly basis. The best way to combat the chills includes drinking plenty of water, eating regular nutritious meals, and keeping your body moving with regular exercise. While there is some overlap, like tender breasts or mood swings, they may feel more like the flu than what you would typically associate with PMS. That process can cause some unpleasant symptoms, like diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and general achiness. Changing hormones influence your brain chemistry, causing serotonin levels to fluctuate. Your period marks the beginning of your follicular phase, which is when your body gets ready to release an egg from your ovary. Dont smoke, and limit how often you drink beverages with caffeine or alcohol, as these may trigger some of the symptoms. Other evidence suggests that massage therapy may relieve pelvic pain, as well. If you're feeling feverish, it usually means your body is fighting off a viral, bacterial, or fungal. Nausea. It is not as same as having actual flu. One reason for these symptoms is that prostaglandins are high just before and at the start of your period. High levels of prostaglandins are associated with more painful cramps, and can also cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. This pain is caused by natural chemicals called prostaglandins that are made in the lining of the uterus. (2011). Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Symptoms that have been called period flu include: Some people also report an elevated temperature, runny nose, or sore throat. Period flu can feel a lot like the common cold or influenza. Prostaglandin causes that annoying AF uterine cramping. Your menstrual cycle. What's more, body temperature naturally increases during ovulation. Theyre also not a joke, either. Period flu symptoms usually last between ovulation and the start of your period. Khayat S, Fanaei H, Kheirkhah M, Moghadam ZB, Kasaeian A, Javadimehr M.. Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Several medicines may treat period flu symptoms. Intrigued? Making certain dietary changes can also help to relieve unwanted symptoms around your period. Endometriosisis a condition in which endometrial tissue, the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus. They can help you figure out if you might be experiencing one of the conditions above and prescribe an appropriate treatment. Healthcare providers use synthetic forms of prostaglandins to treat several conditions. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. So the thinking is that when progesterone fluctuates, so do the levels of serotonin, which can potentially lead to, for example, the increased feelings of fatigue that come with period flu. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2017. But putting it all together isn't always easy. Studies also point to the positive effects of consuming increased amounts of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6 on premenstrual symptoms. One of their roles is to stimulate uterine contractionsneeded when you're pregnant and trying to give birth and to shed your uterine lining during your period. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The pain may range from mild to severe, but it usually goes away with 1-3 days. The phenomenon of period flu has been widely discussed in magazines, blogs, and message boards and even though it isnt technically a virus or illness, it can still make you feel a bit down and icky! This can be done by simply logging in how you feel in a notebook or in a period tracking app. Period flu symptoms, like headache, fever, digestive distress, and fatigue, can feel a lot like the flu. It's natural to have an uptick in inflammation during your period because prostaglandins are inflammatory hormones. Experiencing mild flu-like symptoms in the run up to your period or even during your period is normal, and most of the time its not necessary to bring it up with your doctor. To diagnose PMS and PMDD, healthcare providers ask about your symptoms, when they occur during your menstrual cycle, and their effect on your life. As the name indicates, period flu symptoms mimic the real flu but are tied into your menstrual cycle and aren't contagious. There are a few things you can do to manage the flu-like symptoms. Premenstrual syndrome and alcohol consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Period flu is . Rather, period flu is what happens when prostaglandins aka, the fatty acid compound that's responsible for dislodging your uterine lining and kick starting your period get into your blood. Villarreal recommends chatting with your doctor to find other options that might work better for you. Dull, continuous ache. This is especially true if you are currently taking birth control bills, as certain supplements may reduce their effectiveness. In addition to this shift in hormones, the increased levels of prostaglandins can result in some women experiencing these exaggerated PMS symptoms, notes Dr. Greves. As a licensed naturopathic physician who is board certified in naturopathic endocrinology, she takes an integrative approach in her clinical practice. They may run some tests to rule out other medical issues that may be causing these symptoms. Premenstrual syndrome and comorbid depression among medical students in the internship stage: a descriptive study. 2023 Mira, Powered by Quanovate | All Rights Reserved. the pill) is another option for relieving flu-like symptoms around your period. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. And if you experience intense pain during your period, you may have dysmenorrhea. There are two main types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. Get to Know All 4 Menstrual Cycle Phases and How Each Impacts Your Mind and Body, Outsmart Your Hormones All Month Long (Plus 9 Surprising Things Making Your PMS Worse). In fact, the influenza virus, which causes the contagious respiratory illness, doesn't actually cause the period flu. The use of any information provided on this web site is solely at your own risk. Exercise not only helps to improve your mood, but it can also reduce the intensity of headaches, limit muscle pain, and improve your quality of sleep. This shift is part of why you have PMS, so it makes sense that it would also be a cause for period flu. Are some women more prone to the period flu than others? Talking with your healthcare professional can help you differentiate what's going on, especially if you are really struggling (you don't have to!). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Although there's no cure, you can treat symptoms at home. Madeleine Burry is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor, covering health, parenting, and wellness. They can also help to rule out the possibility that something else might be going on, like an actual infectious illness. Flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, and even fever are just some of the complaints that have people wondering if theyre getting sick or going crazy during that time of the month. Symptoms, Causes And Treatments. 5 Some people may describe their period flu symptoms as in line with the "stomach flu," which is not a real diagnosis but an informal. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Gunaydin C, Bilge SS. What Are Symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? Prostaglandins also cause strong muscle contractions in the uterus that lead to pain, discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea among some women. For others, it only lasts a few days before or during their period. Although its not an official medical term or related to influenza, learn how to get relief if you suffer from this premenstrual phenomenon. As estrogen decreases between ovulation and the start of your period, prostaglandins increase. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. Its possible to get treatment for severe period symptoms. Prostaglandins are molecules that act as chemical messengers in the body much like hormones. Some. For some . Some women also have: Nausea. Prostaglandins cause the muscles and blood vessels of the uterus to contract. Get a massage. If you feel like youve been hit by a truck before your period with intense mood swings to boot you might have severe PMS symptoms. Period problems, solved: Prostaglandin causes that annoying AF uterine cramping. "And if thats persistent, you should get that checked out.". It's common to feel a little more tired than usual when you're about to start your period. When the premenstrual syndrome symptoms become worse, it may feel as though one is actually sick. Before chalking up your symptoms to period flu, consider whether there might be something else going on. But for some people, that time of the month can include symptoms that feel like an actual illness. Below, doctors weigh in on this period phenomenon and how to Get. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. You can treat symptoms at home with hormone therapy, pain relievers, and lifestyle changes, among others. Exercise provides the natural release of feel-good endorphins and helps with the inflammation caused by the prostaglandins, explains Dr. Greves. They're fatty acids that collect in the uterus and help shed its lining during your period. While the exact cause of period flu is still TBD (remember: there's not a lot of research on the topic), the most likely cause is the dramatic drop in hormone levels during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (aka the time between ovulation and your period), says Dr. Shirazian. Dr. Jolene Brighten, NMD, is a womens hormone expert and prominent leader in womens medicine. A root cause approach considers why you have these symptoms in the first place instead of only addressing the symptoms. Your hormones shift dramatically between ovulation and your period, as you saw above. Over time, you may notice that your symptoms follow a pattern each cycle. Loose stools. A little cycle science: During the ovulation phase (typically around day 14 of your cycle), there's a dramatic increase in luteinizing hormone (LH), which causes an ovary to release an egg. In severe cases, a certain type of antidepressant can also be used to treat extreme symptoms. While lifestyle changes and home treatment can usually help, talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms are getting in the way of your daily life.
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