National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It's also thanks to prostaglandins, which are hormones released before your period starts to help dislodge your uterine lining. Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: February 11, 2022Last Reviewed: February 12, 2022 Period Leave a Comment. 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. An IUD that goes into the uterus during an office procedure. I would call it overall malaise, which is how people generally feel around the flu, so it would make sense that people call it the 'period flu.'". "So that precipitous decline, particularly in estrogen, is what causes a lot of the symptoms.". But many women also change up their lifestyle habits before their period starts, Dr. Dweck points out. Dr. Jolene Brighten, NMD, is a womens hormone expert and prominent leader in womens medicine. Dont smoke, and limit how often you drink beverages with caffeine or alcohol, as these may trigger some of the symptoms. Prostaglandins and Period Flu Prostaglandins are hormone-like compounds that up-regulate inflammation in the body. National Library of Medicine. She is the best selling author of Beyond the Pill and Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth. Kiarra King, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified gynecologist from Oak Park, Illinois. Heres why this symptom occurs and what you can do to find relief. Like PMS, the period flu typically strikes at the same point during your menstrual cycle: after ovulation and before your period. 2020;17(3):988. doi:10.3390/ijerph17030988. Once your period starts, dysmenorrheacan cause headaches, diarrhea and a general feeling of malaise. The influenza virus that causes the flu is not the same as the period flu. One word: hormones. Your doctor will tell you the best treatments for these. Certain lifestyle changes and therapies can also help you prevent or at least minimize future symptoms. There are two main types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. These are hormones that help the cervix to open, but they can also cause movement in. 2014;14:14. doi:10.1186/1472-6874-14-14, Conti B. Prostaglandin E2 that triggers fever is synthesized through an endocannabinoid- dependent pathway. Prostaglandins are at their highest on day one of your period, which can lead to diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Drinking water, tea, or broth can help replace the loss of fluid and electrolytes, according to the Mayo Clinic. What's more, body temperature naturally increases during ovulation. Period flu symptoms After ovulation, which occurs when the ovary releases an egg, levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone begin to drop. Before chalking up your symptoms to period flu, consider whether there might be something else going on. However, an overproduction of prostaglandins exacerbates the body's inflammatory response, explains Dr. Gersh, and that's not great when it comes to PMS. Period flu symptoms usually last between ovulation and the start of your period. What Are Symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? Period flu symptoms usually last between ovulation and the start . Sadr SS, Samimi Ardestani SM, Razjouyan K, et al. Khayat S, Kheirkhah M, Behboodi Moghadam Z, Fanaei H, Kasaeian A, Javadimehr M. Effect of treatment with ginger on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms. (2018). Effects of Calcium Supplement Therapy in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome. It's common for women to experience flu-like symptoms and even a fever between ovulation and the start of their period. This pain is caused by natural chemicals called prostaglandins that are made in the lining of the uterus. 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. Diarrhea during your period is a sign that you have too many prostaglandins. 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. If you also have physical sickness leading up to your period, you might have what people refer to as period flu, a more severe set of PMS symptoms. Before your period, their levels increase and can cause an inflammatory response. Learn when to get help. . During your period, prostaglandins trigger muscles in your uterus to contract. Premenstrual syndrome. 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. These aren't the only strange symptoms you might notice before your period. "All of these symptoms can be [due to] lots of things. Luckily, "period flu" is a lot easier to treat than the real one. In addition to decreasing progesterone levels, another potential cause of flu-like symptoms around your period is the impact of prostaglandins. Generally, avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming too much caffeine and salt can help reduce period flu symptoms. The best type of hormonal birth control the pill, ring, patch, or intrauterine device (IUD) for managing period flu depends on your symptoms. "This drop in the hormone LH and progesterone causes some women to feel a whole host of symptoms," says Dr. Shirazian. We think possibly some underlying diseases such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or anatomic variants can increase pain and bleeding in some people, Villarreal says. The duration of period flu or flu-like symptoms around your period can vary among individuals. 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. . While there are some over-the-counter options like ibuprofen, those might not touch your pain if youre struggling with severe symptoms. PMS, as its usually known, is the collection of physical and emotional annoyances that can occur shortly before your period is due. Is Period Flu Real? Causes and Symptoms Explained - Mira Fertility Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2014;16(1):22-36. doi:10.1111/bdi.12138, Yen JY, Lin PC, Huang MF, et al. But if it happens regularly around your period, its likely what experts often refer to as the period flu.. Relief. 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. You're probably already aware of a few positive diet changes you could make. If you are not trying to conceive (TTC), taking a hormonal contraceptive (i.e. Like PMS, the cause of period flu can be chalked up to the bodys response to changing hormone levels. If period flu is a regular thing for you, its more than understandable that youd want to stop symptoms before they even start. Theyre also not a joke, either. For instance, you might up your sugar and salty snack intake, which can cause swelling and inflammation, she explains. Should You Eat Based On Your Menstrual Cycle? In other words, like traditional PMS, period flu tends to pop up after ovulation and before your period the exact number of days prior to your flow, however, varies from person to person. Your period marks the beginning of your follicular phase, which is when your body gets ready to release an egg from your ovary. This is because before your period, progesterone levels drop dramatically. Some people feel pain thats more sharp.. Continue for about 15 minutes. Consult a healthcare provider if you notice new or changing breast lumps or nipple discharge. 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. Normally, the period flu is nothing to worry about. Period flu causes. Research has found that heat therapy can alleviate pelvic pain by relaxing tense muscles. Loose stools. To diagnose PMS and PMDD, healthcare providers ask about your symptoms, when they occur during your menstrual cycle, and their effect on your life. Take them as soon as you start bleeding or whenever you begin to have cramps. Period Flu: Signs, Causes, and Treatment - Oli And Alex What Is 'Period Flu?' Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments - Shape StatPearls Publishing; 2022. When this happens, your body temperature goes up. 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. Other evidence suggests that massage therapy may relieve pelvic pain, as well.
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