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. 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. Instead, the goal is to treat your symptoms. he Normal Menstrual Cycle and the Control of Ovulation. The body produces prostaglandins in the areas where injury or illness occurs. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. So what's really going on with your body? 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. If you have a period, you probably experience some discomfort and pain around your time of the month, which is totally normal. For others, these symptoms may begin after they ovulate. Weakness. You might have spotting before your period due to changes in medication, pregnancy, infection, or another underlying condition. Elevations in progesterone followed by steep declines can also impact neurotransmitters, like serotonin, that affect your mood and energy levels. 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. The duration of period flu or flu-like symptoms around your period can vary among individuals. Sleep and Premenstrual Syndrome. A variety of symptoms, like the kind of fatigue that happens when you get the real flu, may ensue as a result. Also, if you one of your period flu symptoms is diarrhea, this can lead to dehydration, so make sure you're getting enough H2O throughout the day, says Dr. Greves. Some of her clients' most common PMS complaints are all reminiscent of flu symptoms, including irritability, breast soreness, headaches, joint pain, and excessive fatigue. But if it happens regularly around your period, its likely what experts often refer to as the period flu.. Are some women more prone to the period flu than others? 2014;16(1):22-36. doi:10.1111/bdi.12138, Yen JY, Lin PC, Huang MF, et al. On the first day of a period, the level of prostaglandins is high. Period problems, solved: Prostaglandin causes that annoying AF uterine cramping. Finally, its worth considering whether something else may be affecting your health aside from your period or an infectious illnesses. Those conditions sound (and are) painful, but just because youre having severe PMS and period symptoms doesnt necessarily mean you have secondary dysmenorrhea. Sore muscles. Doctors dont clearly understand what causes these symptoms, but hormonal changes during this time may have a role to play. Otherwise, doctors arent entirely sure what exactly causes these symptoms. Period flu isn't something you should have to deal with as part of menstruation. "So that precipitous decline, particularly in estrogen, is what causes a lot of the symptoms.". High levels of prostaglandins are associated with more painful cramps, and can also cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. As the name indicates, period flu symptoms mimic the real flu but are tied into your menstrual cycle and aren't contagious. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Once your period starts, gauge your symptoms to see if you need to continue to take them. Eurasian J Med. So, in general, while you might feel icky, you'll be totally fine in a few days. Gunaydin C, Bilge SS. Both could be considered in addition to the above supplements to address hormone balance to help with period flu. What Is Period Flu? And it has nothing to do with the actual flu, so theres that. And you may have increased water retention, which could lead to joint pain, Dr. Dweck says. It's natural to have an uptick in inflammation during your period because prostaglandins are inflammatory hormones. In fact, more than 100 symptoms have been linked to PMS. Armour M, Ee CC, Naidoo D, Ayati Z, Chalmers KJ, Steel KA, de Manincor MJ, Delshad E. Exercise for dysmenorrhoea. They could be a sign of an underlying condition that needs treatment. Prostaglandins also cause strong muscle contractions in the uterus that lead to pain, discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea among some women. 2020;17(3):988. doi:10.3390/ijerph17030988. She has a masters degree in journalism from Syracuse University, lives in Brooklyn, and proudly detests avocados. Below, doctors weigh in on this period phenomenon and how to Get. Madeleine Burry is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor, covering health, parenting, and wellness. Premenstrual syndrome. When the endometrial cells lining the uterus begin to shed, these . Its also important to make sure that you are drinking enough water around the time of your period. 2800 N 6th St Unit 1 PMB 953 Saint Augustine FL 32084, Get Your FREE Hormone Starter Kit with7 Day Meal Plan & Recipe Guide. It is in no way related to influenza; however, it is a real phenomenon and the term period flu is simply used to describe what the symptoms feel like. Diarrhea during your period is a sign that you have too many prostaglandins. Usually, prostaglandin-related menstrual pain is worse when the. While everyone who has a period is different, some symptoms are commonly shared by those who have severe symptoms. Your period could be responsible for causing your fever if you're having one of these symptoms: Headache Sore throat Vomiting or stomach pain What are the symptoms of period flu? "But if your symptoms are alleviated with your period or if they are cyclic in nature, then it's less concerning.". Or you may feel like you're about to get the flu. The most important thing is that if you are suffering, there are many treatments ranging in types, risks and benefits, so talk to your provider candidly if you are struggling, says Villarreal. In severe cases, a certain type of antidepressant can also be used to treat extreme symptoms. A root cause approach considers why you have these symptoms in the first place instead of only addressing the symptoms. They can do a proper workup and help you feel A-okay when your period comes your way. Some people will only note mild intermittent cramping that can feel like throbbing or dull, intermittent pain, says Villarreal. It can also lead to headaches. Your uterine lining thickens, and estrogen continues to rise until, An egg is released mid-cycle, usually at the halfway point, and this is, The second half of your cycle is called the luteal phase. Dysmenorrhea, or painful periods, is one of the most common prostaglandin-related disorders that may cause you to see a doctor. (2011). These flu-like feelings are similar to or overlap with a group of symptoms doctor call dysmenorrhea (painful periods) or premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Try applying scented oils and gently massaging above the pelvic region, around the navel, in a clockwise motion. What is period flu? That process can cause some unpleasant symptoms, like diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and general achiness. Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life. Crying and feeling sad or anxious before or during your period is fairly normal, and likely due to fluctuating hormones. (Prostaglandins are fatty acids that look like hormones that . The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Some people will experience these flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to their period, while others will experience them the. Before chalking up your symptoms to period flu, consider whether there might be something else going on. Cyclic changes in your sex hormones, mainly estrogen, can also cause you to feel run down, along with causing your more run-of-the-mill period symptoms, like cramps, breast tenderness, and mood swings. In addition to medications, supportive measures like heat and massage can help ease period flu symptoms. 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. Period flu isn't a medical term;. Efficacy of physiotherapy treatment in primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 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! That said, both experts describe it as an exaggerated form (think: more intense, more flu-like) of PMS. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. This blocks the formation of prostaglandins, thus reducing symptoms, but the catch is that you need to take it before things get bad. 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. We need more research to completely understand all of the causes for these symptoms. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In the uterus, they work to loosen the uterine lining which prompts your period. Over time, you may notice that your symptoms follow a pattern each cycle. Ahead, everything you need to know about period flu, including causes, symptoms, and how to find relief from the monthly malaise. Period flu symptoms are similar to PMS and start after ovulation and before your period. When prostaglandins work locally on the uterus, a . While many reach for an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication (and no judgment here if that's what helps you get through, but they do have side effects, especially if used longer-term), the following are more natural options that can help: Try to include nutrient-dense foods like lots of leafy greens, berries, olive oil, nuts, and seeds which can help bring inflammation down (and keep you regular if you are feeling bloated or constipated. Gudipally PR, Sharma GK. The symptoms of PMS vary from person to person. Like PMS, the cause of period flu can be chalked up to the bodys response to changing hormone levels. Dysmenorrhea, the correct term for painful periods, can be treated with the help of your doctor. . There are ways you can support symptoms. This web site offers health, wellness, fitness and nutritional information and is provided for informational purposes only. One reason for these symptoms is that prostaglandins are high just before and at the start of your period. Still, keep in mind that the research on whether those methods work is inconclusive. They can also cause the body temperature to rise, which can lead to a low-grade fever. Period flu is . 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. The heat helps with blood circulation and reduces fluid retention. However, if your symptoms prevent you from going to work/school or carrying out your daily responsibilities, thats the appropriate time to make a doctors appointment. And the symptoms will generally occur on a monthly basis. "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. Nothing stated or posted on this web site or available through any services offered by Dr. Jolene Brighten, ND and Brighten Wellness, LLC, are intended to be, and must not be taken to be, the practice of medicine. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. If youre suffering from period flu symptoms, its important to get sufficient rest to help alleviate those symptoms. Adenomyosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue grows inside the muscular wall of the uterus, where it functions the same as it would inside the uterus thickening, breaking down and bleeding each menstrual cycle. Information provided on this web site DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and any doctor affiliated with our web site. The tissue that lines the inside of the uterus sheds when the uterine muscles tighten. You may feel like your body is fighting off a virus when it isn't.

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