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While prostaglandins cause uterine muscle contraction (aka menstrual cramps), they also affect the bowels. It can be a little tricky, Dr. Wider says. What is Period Flu? And How To Treat it Without the Regular Use of Take them as soon as you start bleeding or whenever you begin to have cramps. But for some menstruators, an impending visit from Aunt Flo can make them feel like they're coming down with something along the lines of the flu. For example, cutting back on sodium can help to relieve bloating, while eating a variety of fruits and vegetables can help to boost your energy levels and improve digestion. In fact, the influenza virus, which causes the contagious respiratory illness, doesn't actually cause the period flu. Sadr SS, Samimi Ardestani SM, Razjouyan K, et al. Many doctors consider period flu as an exaggerated form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) due to the severity of its symptoms. Or you may feel like you're about to get the flu. In severe cases, a certain type of antidepressant can also be used to treat extreme symptoms. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Do you feel nauseous, dizzy, or bogged down by headaches as if you have the flu right around the time of your period? Still, the name fits well for people with flu-like symptoms before their periods. PMS is pretty common, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with. If the contractions are too strong that they may press up against surrounding blood vessels and cut off some of the oxygen supply. . Some people will experience these flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to their period, while others will experience them the. 2021;18(15):7832. doi:10.3390/ijerph18157832. Prostaglandins are fatty acids in the body that help during an injury and illness by turning certain processes "on" or "off.". Generally, avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming too much caffeine and salt can help reduce period flu symptoms. Research has found that some of those conditions may include the following: Don't hesitate to tell a healthcare provider if period flu symptoms strike hard during each menstrual cycle or linger longer than a few days. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are a class of over-the counter (OTC) drugs that can ease pain during your period. When you get the period flu, there are several ways you can practice good self-care and get relief. In the uterus, they work to loosen the uterine lining which prompts your period. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". BMC Womens Health. DOI: Dennerstein L, et al. They also use medications to block the effects of prostaglandins. If youre suffering from period flu symptoms, its important to get sufficient rest to help alleviate those symptoms. Changing hormone levels are the likely culprit of period flu symptoms. Flu-like Symptoms Before Your Period | The Lowdown Theyre also designed to cut down prostaglandin production. Why Is It So Hard for Black Women to Get Diagnosed with Endometriosis? 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. 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. 2020;17(3):988. doi:10.3390/ijerph17030988. We think possibly some underlying diseases such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or anatomic variants can increase pain and bleeding in some people, Villarreal says. At this time, levels of the hormone progesterone increase to help prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. Making certain dietary changes can also help to relieve unwanted symptoms around your period. Diarrhea during your period is a sign that you have too many prostaglandins. Exercise is another powerful home remedy for relieving period-related symptoms. Read on to learn more about why you might feel like you have the flu before or during you period and what symptoms warrant a visit to a doctor. Period flu is a slang term for the cluster of flu-like emotions that women can sometimes experience before or during their period. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):16252. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-34303-z, Lpez-Liria R, Torres-lamo L, Vega-Ramrez FA, et al. If you have a cough, fever, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, then it's far less likely to be the 'period flu,'" says Dr. Shirazian. "This drop in the hormone LH and progesterone causes some women to feel a whole host of symptoms," says Dr. Shirazian. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). We avoid using tertiary references. Primary dysmenorrhea is the cramping pain that comes before or during a period. Progesterone is another hormone that increases right before a menstrual period. Tender breasts, nausea, fatigue, and back pain are just a few of the overlapping symptoms, she says. Focusing on the root cause may not lead to immediate relief, but it's critical if you want to work on prevention. Prostaglandins cause contractions that help your uterus shed its lining. (Theyre even available at your local drugstore now!) Women typically get a few signs that their period is about to start. Like PMS, the cause of period flu can be chalked up to the bodys response to changing hormone levels. These contractions help expel the uterus lining. Dr. Jolene Brighten, NMD, is a womens hormone expert and prominent leader in womens medicine. "Prostaglandins can cause intestinal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of being flushed, and general achiness." . Sweating at night or when you otherwise wouldnt expect to feel hot. So its not surprising that an oncoming period would feel similar to an illness. The Rise Of Period Flu: Why You Get Ill Before Your Period - Glamour UK Prostaglandins - Reproduction, Inflammation & Other Conditions I know that just telling you to sleep more isn't helpful if you struggle with insomnia or your sleep patterns are off. Gudipally PR, Sharma GK. All rights reserved. You may have physical symptoms too, including cramps, headaches, or muscle pain. They could be a sign of an underlying condition that needs treatment. Be sure to take the medication with food to avoid a stomach ache and, worse, ulcers. Villarreal says that for some, their pain might be bad enough to need medication to manage it. Last medically reviewed on July 29, 2019. Luckily, "period flu" is a lot easier to treat than the real one. Ahead, everything you need to know about period flu, including causes, symptoms, and how to find relief from the monthly malaise. How Does The Abortion Pill Work, What's The Cost? If youre feeling feverish, it usually means your body is fighting off a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read on this web site. If you think you might be pregnant, the best way to distinguish between the two is with a pregnancy test, Dr. Wider says. You're probably already aware of a few positive diet changes you could make. If birth control doesnt work out, surgery is a common next step for those with endometriosis or adenomyosis. A fierce patient advocate and completely dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances, Dr. Brighten empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and their hormones. "My feeling from a medical standpoint is that this is all part of PMS syndrome, which can have both physical and emotional symptoms," Dr. Dweck says. On the first day of a period, the level of prostaglandins is high. Staying hydrated; exercising; eating healthy foods, like whole grains and vegetables; and getting enough sleep are key. Its a bacterial infection that causes flu-like symptoms along with a fever that spikes over 102 F and a rash that looks like a sunburn or red dots on your skin. Nausea can be frustrating, but there are things you can do to relieve your symptoms. Symptoms usually resolve one to two days after your next period starts. Learn more about why it happens and how to manage symptoms. 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. The patch, pill, and ring work similarly because they're systemic hormones, meaning they're absorbed into the body and don't go straight to your uterus, says Dr. Greves. Learn how to limit the bloating and gas that precede and accompany your period. Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women. Prostaglandins are molecules that act as chemical messengers in the body much like hormones. 2800 N 6th St Unit 1 PMB 953 Saint Augustine FL 32084, Get Your FREE Hormone Starter Kit with7 Day Meal Plan & Recipe Guide. A study on women with PMS found that those who took curcumin twice a day for the week before their period and three days after had less severe symptoms. Your body also produces prostaglandin in the lining of your uterus when you start your period. Symptoms, Causes And Treatments. It keeps everything constant," explains Dr. Shirazian. Otherwise, doctors arent entirely sure what exactly causes these symptoms. "Period flu symptoms can occur between ovulation and the beginning of your period," integrative medicine doctor Alejandra Carrasco, M.D., tells mbg. "Birth control works because it stabilizes your hormones, so you don't have that LH surge or drop in progesterone levels. Just practice safety methods while you wait for the results, like wearing a mask when youre around others and social distancing. They can also cause the body temperature to rise, which can lead to a low-grade fever. Here are some things you can do to ease your symptoms: Here are some things you can start doing to improve your periods and prevent, or at least reduce, those icky period flu symptoms during your next cycle: Some discomfort during your period is normal, but symptoms that interfere with your daily activities should be discussed with your healthcare provider. For example, chaste tree extracts, 1,0001,200 milligrams of calcium, or 50100 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily may reduce symptoms. The more inflammation in the body, the more prostaglandins are present. Global epidemiological study of variation of premenstrual symptoms with age and sociodemographic factors. Is there a cure for period flu? In turn, those products may relieve period flu symptoms. In the case of the period flu, prostaglandins are to blame. The causes aren't certain, but since symptoms coincide with cycle timing, the most likely explanation is hormone fluctuations. 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. But after a few days of your period, prostaglandin levels decrease so your period flu pain (should) subside. "My patients complain about all kinds of different illness that seem to come about right before their period, and theyre always cyclical," she says. Take antidiarrheal medications. But while those are helpful I would still encourage you to work with a qualified practitioner to understand why your hormones are imbalanced to begin with. We need more research to completely understand all of the causes for these symptoms. Although the "period flu" isn't an official medical diagnosis (and it's not related to influenza, the virus), many menstruators experience an onslaught of malaise-type symptoms, including fatigue, body aches, and headaches around the middle of their cycle, says Taraneh Shirazian, M.D., board-certified ob-gyn at NYU Langone Health. Pain that starts 1 to 3 days before your period, peaks 24 hours after the onset of your period and subsides in 2 to 3 days. Peppermint, ginger, and chamomile tea may also help. Intrigued? If youve got nausea, chills, and weakness, and you dont normally have those before your period, its entirely possible that you have the actual flu (or COVID, or a stomach bug, or something else.). Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that affect several bodily functions, including inflammation, pain and uterine contractions. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Bernstein MT, Graff LA, Avery L, et al. 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. 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. How can your period affect bowel movements? - Medical News Today There are two main types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. Not to further complicate things, but symptoms of early pregnancy can also be similar to symptoms of period flu, Dr. Wider says. In your blood sample, they will look at hormones like estrogen, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and cortisol. There's no cure for the period flu. U by Kotex partner Dr. Molly O-Shea tells Elite Daily you can keep prostaglandins from doing you dirty by "taking ibuprofen three times a day for the few days prior to your period." This won't. Every body and every person is different, Villarreal says. Before your period, prostaglandins, which are hormone-like fatty acids, are produced to help your uterus shed its lining. As a matter of fact, many studies of menstrual cycles demonstrate that those who have higher levels of prostaglandins during menstruation for those with intense period pain. Another thing to discuss with your doctor is whether a change in birth control could help. Dizziness. They also elevate when you have an actual infection and can help explain why you may have a low-grade fever. Some people can develop symptoms such as pelvic cramping, nausea, fatigue and malaise around the time of their period, says Dr. Sarah Villarreal, an OB-GYN at the Womens Health Care Center at UW Medical Center Roosevelt. Exercise before and during your period has been known to reduce period symptoms, especially pain and cramps. A root cause approach considers why you have these symptoms in the first place instead of only addressing the symptoms. Over time, you may notice that your symptoms follow a pattern each cycle. Consult with your healthcare provider for options. OTC drugs may clear up diarrhea or nausea. Dysmenorrhea, the correct term for painful periods, can be treated with the help of your doctor. Effects of Calcium Supplement Therapy in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome. A "Period-Flu" Is A Real Thing & Here's How To Know If You Have It Research also suggests that progesterone might affect neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin (which plays a role in mood and energy). Period Flu: What Is It? - WebMD

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