At UW Medicine, our mission is to improve the health of the public. 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. your wind-down routine (hello screens and cell phones), and anything else that could be interfering. One of the best ways to get some relief from period flu is by taking over-the-counter painkillers. 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. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Period Flu: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | YourTango Prostaglandins can cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea. DOI: Dennerstein L, et al. Some other symptoms of period flu, include body aches or joint pain, fever-like chills that might not involve an actual fever, dizziness and breast tenderness. . So you can just blame the hormonal rollercoaster that is PMS until there's more conclusive science on this. Premenstrual Syndrome: Overview. Premenstrual syndrome and comorbid depression among medical students in the internship stage: a descriptive study. While there are some over-the-counter options like ibuprofen, those might not touch your pain if youre struggling with severe symptoms. Is Antihistamine Use Making Me Gain Weight? This includes going outside for some fresh air, sipping water throughout the day, and avoiding spicy or high-fat foods. Learn more about why it happens and how to manage symptoms. The best way to figure out whats happening here isagaintake a test. If you track your period and tend to know when its about to start, consider taking a Motrin the day before. High levels of prostaglandins are associated with more painful cramps, and can also cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women. What Is "Period Flu"? How Hormonal Changes Can Make You Feel Sick - Allure All rights reserved. the egg is not fertilized), your estrogen, progesterone, and LH levels drop, and you start to shed the lining of your uterus as your period begins. When prostaglandins work locally on the uterus, a . They can also cause the body temperature to rise, which can lead to a low-grade fever. Dr. Jolene Brighten, NMD, is a womens hormone expert and prominent leader in womens medicine. It isnt totally clear what causes it, but hormonal fluctuations likely play a big role. 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. What is period flu? The influenza virus that causes the flu is not the same as the period flu. Period flu can be referred to the situation when prostaglandins or the fatty acid compounds responsible for dislodging the uterine wall and starting period, get into the bloodstream and begin affecting the intestine, causing flu . (Just before ovulation, levels of the hormone estrogen are also at their highest.) Looking at the underlying root causes, such as hormone imbalances or inflammation, is vital for taking charge of symptoms. There are a few things you can do to manage the flu-like symptoms. And if you experience intense pain during your period, you may have dysmenorrhea. "There isn't a specific patient type that makes you more prone to the 'period flu,' but certainly, some women are more prone to feeling PMS symptoms during their period. These aren't the only strange symptoms you might notice before your period. Continue for about 15 minutes. It can be a little tricky, Dr. Wider says. Your immune system activates antibodies and other chemicals like prostaglandin to destroy the virus or bacteria. In actuality, the "period flu" is not a real medical condition. Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly, back, or thighs or wherever you feel pain or aches. Its best to check with your doctor to see if any of your symptoms match up. See additional information. These include fatigue, sleep problems, food cravings, and depression. Period flu symptoms usually last between ovulation and the start . 2023 Mira, Powered by Quanovate | All Rights Reserved. Ultimately, the period flu can be miserable. Diarrhea During Period and Before Period: How to Manage It - Healthline You may feel like your body is fighting off a virus when it isn't. The prostaglandins cause an inflammatory response in the body and this is why people feel flu-like." But what does that mean? Period Flu: Why You Feel So Bad Before Your Period - Healthline 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.). Like PMS, the cause of period flu can be chalked up to the bodys response to changing hormone levels. 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. 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. That's why I created my free 7-day hormone balancing starter kit that includes a meal plan to help you get started. How can your period affect bowel movements? - Medical News Today 2014;14:14. doi:10.1186/1472-6874-14-14, Conti B. Prostaglandin E2 that triggers fever is synthesized through an endocannabinoid- dependent pathway. We avoid using tertiary references. If your symptoms arent too bad, consider taking an over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen. Naturally, if youre trying to get pregnant or have been iffy on your birth control lately, this might be more of a possibility than if youre using an incredibly effective method of birth control or havent had sex lately. Do you feel nauseous, dizzy, or bogged down by headaches as if you have the flu right around the time of your period? Dont smoke, and limit how often you drink beverages with caffeine or alcohol, as these may trigger some of the symptoms. Dr. Brighten is an international speaker, clinical educator, medical advisor within the tech community, and considered a leading authority on womens health. 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. 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. This is potentially a life-threatening illness. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Barcikowska Z, Rajkowska-Labon E, Grzybowska ME, Hansdorfer-Korzon R, Zorena K. Inflammatory Markers in Dysmenorrhea and Therapeutic Options. "In the mid-portion of your cycle when you ovulate, your estrogen and progesterone levels start to surge, and they decline when you do not get pregnant and get your period," Dr. Dweck explains. Period flu symptoms, like headache, fever, digestive distress, and fatigue, can feel a lot like the flu. Exercise is another powerful home remedy for relieving period-related symptoms. Your estrogen and progesterone levels are dropping at the same time, and there are a variety of theories about what exactly causes the worst period flu symptoms. The thought of getting Parkinsons when youre young can be scary. She's written for many online publications, including Health, Prevention, Women's Health, What To Expect, and Apartment Therapy. Prostaglandins also cause strong muscle contractions in the uterus that lead to pain, discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea among some women. She is the best selling author of Beyond the Pill and Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth. Prostaglandins are molecules that act as chemical messengers in the body much like hormones. Read more about me here. When estrogen and progesterone levels shift in the second half of your cycle, you can feel more tired and not sleep as well. Prostaglandins cause contractions that help your uterus shed its lining. New Opioid Vaccines Could Reduce Overdose and Save Lives, Yes, Pelvic Prolapse Is Common After Birth. Both could be considered in addition to the above supplements to address hormone balance to help with period flu. Is It Possible to Get Pregnant on Your Period? These molecules bind with receptors in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls your bodys temperature. At this time, levels of the hormone progesterone increase to help prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Information provided on this web site DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and any doctor affiliated with our web site. Dysmenorrhea, the correct term for painful periods, can be treated with the help of your doctor. The period flu isnt a legit medical term, but it sure does sum up how crummy some people feel during their period. Unfortunately, high levels of prostaglandins can lead to severe pain and discomfort -enter the Period Flu. Take them as soon as you start bleeding or whenever you begin to have cramps. Weakness. Here's everything you need to know about period fluHelloGiggles 2018;50(2):116-121. doi:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2018.0010. Symptoms, Causes And Treatments. The more inflammation in the body, the more prostaglandins are present. 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