Those conditions sound (and are) painful, but just because youre having severe PMS and period symptoms doesnt necessarily mean you have secondary dysmenorrhea. Prostaglandin causes that annoying AF uterine cramping. Keep in mind that not every medicine is explicitly approved for that purpose. This pain is caused by natural chemicals called prostaglandins that are made in the lining of the uterus. They can help you figure out if you might be experiencing one of the conditions above and prescribe an appropriate treatment. When the endometrial cells lining the uterus begin to shed, these . Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, progesterone might affect neurotransmitters, serotonin (which plays a role in mood and energy). "For the body aches and cramping, over the counter medication such as ibuprofen or . So, in general, while you might feel icky, you'll be totally fine in a few days. In fact, more than 100 symptoms have been linked to PMS. Because they're inflammatory compounds, prostaglandins can also increase inflammation in your body leading up to your period, which, in turn, can trigger those flu-like symptoms, adds Dr. Greves. It also causes the muscles to contract and can give you gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhoea. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Nausea. Jo J, Lee SH. Period flu symptoms are similar tobut more severe thanpremenstrual syndrome (PMS). Prostaglandins can affect various processes, including blood flow, pain, allergies, inflammation, blood clotting, and reproduction. The period flu mimics symptoms of the flusuch as headache, sore throat, and muscle achesnear your period. A quick look at the research reveals that there isn't much information about period flu (were not too shocked right?). It can be a little tricky, Dr. Wider says. "But if your symptoms are alleviated with your period or if they are cyclic in nature, then it's less concerning.". Period flu symptoms, like headache, fever, digestive distress, and fatigue, can feel a lot like the flu. But if it happens regularly around your period, its likely what experts often refer to as the period flu.. 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. Below, doctors weigh in on this period phenomenon and how to Get. New Opioid Vaccines Could Reduce Overdose and Save Lives, Yes, Pelvic Prolapse Is Common After Birth. may occur because the immune system is reacting to higher levels of prostaglandinshormone-like substances present . They may ask you to track your symptoms daily to see what symptoms happen while ovulating and menstruating. Progesterone also has an anti-inflammation effect, so when it starts to fall, it also ramps up the release of inflammatory compounds that can cause pain and discomfort. Your hormones shift dramatically between ovulation and your period, as you saw above. However, if the "period flu" is affecting your quality of life (think: staying home from work, forcing you to miss out on social activities), there's absolutely no reason to continue living with it. The sorts of things you might mistake for being full-on sick. But many women also change up their lifestyle habits before their period starts, Dr. Dweck points out. (Gentle reminder: You need a flu shot to prevent that.) Sadr SS, Samimi Ardestani SM, Razjouyan K, et al. With a few lifestyle changes to address inflammation and hormone balance, you can take charge of your health and feel like yourself again. So its not surprising that an oncoming period would feel similar to an illness. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that affect several bodily functions, including inflammation, pain and uterine contractions. You can then share this information with your doctor and they can provide further guidance. These chills may also be accompanied by headaches, bloating, cramping, nausea, and feeling feverish. The influenza virus that causes the flu is not the same as the period flu. Peppermint, ginger, and chamomile tea may also help. This includes feelings of extreme fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and digestive issues. Sometimes, they also cause contractions in your intestines, which can cause a range of GI symptoms, including diarrhea.. Endometriosisis a condition in which endometrial tissue, the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus. If you think you might be pregnant, the best way to distinguish between the two is with a pregnancy test, Dr. Wider says. Increased progesterone. 2014;8(4):74-79. But have you ever heard of period flu? Period flu symptoms can make it hard to function, but there are several things you can do for relief. One reason for these symptoms is that prostaglandins are high just before and at the start of your period. See additional information. The symptoms are pretty varied, too, and can include: Experts arent totally sure about what causes this phenomenon, but hormone fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle are the most likely culprit. Cleveland Clinic: Dysmenorrhea, Can Tracking Your Basal Body Temperature Help You Conceive?, Columbia University: I keep getting a fever with my period., NHS: Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle., University Park OBGYN: Can You Get a Fever During Your Period?, UpToDate: Patient education: Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) (Beyond the Basics)., Chemistry Libretexts: Prostaglandins.. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, the following vitamins and herbal supplements may help to soothe or alleviate symptoms: Before trying a new vitamin or herbal remedy, make sure to speak with your doctor, as they will know whether or not you can take it alongside any existing medications. They're fatty acids that collect in the uterus and help shed its lining during your period. Keep it simple by examining your sleep environment (too hot or loud?) Prostaglandins. Fun, right? Prostaglandins are produced before having a period to start the process of dislodging the lining of the uterine from the uterus wall so that a woman has period flow. PMS is pretty common, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with. What Causes Nausea Before Your Period, and How Is It Treated? The role of prostaglandins during your period. You may have physical symptoms too, including cramps, headaches, or muscle pain. For example, vitex, or chasteberry, works to balance your hormones naturally. Your doctor will tell you the best treatments for these. Already. A turmeric supplement, such as Garden of Life's MyKind Organics, Extra Strength Turmeric (Available at Walmart) after first okay-ing it with your doctor or pain medication, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help ease cramps and lower back pain, adds Dr. Shirazian. If you don't become pregnant (i.e. These flu-like feelings are similar to or overlap with a group of symptoms doctor call dysmenorrhea (painful periods) or premenstrual syndrome (PMS). "All of these symptoms can be [due to] lots of things. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. How Young Is Too Young to Get Parkinson's Disease? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. A common alternative option is hormonal contraceptives, such as: Hormonal contraceptives are low risk and can be tried and stopped if you dont like them, says Villarreal. 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. Barcikowska Z, Rajkowska-Labon E, Grzybowska ME, Hansdorfer-Korzon R, Zorena K. Inflammatory Markers in Dysmenorrhea and Therapeutic Options. If you notice this, get help right away or head to the nearest hospital. A root cause approach considers why you have these symptoms in the first place instead of only addressing the symptoms. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Above all, be gentle with yourself. Some evidence suggests that herbs and supplements may relieve PMS symptoms. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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. Tender breasts, nausea, fatigue, and back pain are just a few of the overlapping symptoms, she says. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Premenstrual syndrome and comorbid depression among medical students in the internship stage: a descriptive study. Aleve, Motrin, Advil) regularly about two days before your period starts to help ease prostaglandin-causing pain symptoms, provided you don't have any contraindications, recommends Dr. Greves. 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. Select Region. Always speak with your doctor first before taking diuretics, as they may not be appropriate to take alongside other medications. Not to further complicate things, but symptoms of early pregnancy can also be similar to symptoms of period flu, Dr. Wider says. There are a few things you can do to manage the flu-like symptoms. Get the real-time accuracy Mira has to offer and reach your fertility goals. These pills are designed to ease bloating and reduce the build-up of fluid in your body, which are symptoms that many individuals struggle with around their period. You're probably already aware of a few positive diet changes you could make. And you may have increased water retention, which could lead to joint pain, Dr. Dweck says. Unlike the flu, which can leave you sidelined with chills, body aches, a sore throat, and nasal congestion, the period flu is not contagious and unlikely to lead to anything serious. They can also cause the body temperature to rise, which can lead to a low-grade fever. As with PMS, hormone therapy, pain relievers, and lifestyle changes, among others, can reduce and prevent period flu symptoms. "So it does make you wonder, [even though] it's not in the literature, if theres some sort of immune hit that occurs just before your period bringing these flu-like symptoms to life," Dr. Dweck notes. For example, chaste tree extracts, 1,0001,200 milligrams of calcium, or 50100 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily may reduce symptoms. Your body also produces prostaglandin in the lining of your uterus when you start your period. Premenstrual syndrome - self-care. Chemical changes in your brain, such as fluctuations in serotonin and other chemicals related to mood states, may also trigger some PMS symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. This includes extreme irritability, anger, sadness, anxiety, panic, and even suicidal thoughts. In addition to heavy muscle pain, cramping, bloating, and headaches, individuals with PMDD may also experience more mood-related symptoms in the days or weeks before their period. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The main reason why you may feel nauseous during your period is due to prostaglandins, which are the driving force behind helping your body shed its uterine lining. For instance, you might up your sugar and salty snack intake, which can cause swelling and inflammation, she explains. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. When your PMS symptoms feel like the flu, and your actual period somehow feels worse its time for a change. If you notice flu-like symptoms every month at the same time during your menstrual cycle, it's time to take a closer look. Its also important to make sure that you are drinking enough water around the time of your period. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Women who are on birth control don't notice any major changes during their period. We created Right as Rain to serve as a resource to connect you with health and wellness information you can trust from researchers, healthcareproviders and faculty from UW Medicine and the University of Washington. This is especially true if you are currently taking birth control bills, as certain supplements may reduce their effectiveness. Others feel lousy throughout their period. Many people who have periods experience something similar and often call it period flu. But it isnt really the flu (influenza), and you cant spread it to others.
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