Period flu is a collection of flu-like symptoms that start just before a menstrual period.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296c3fdfc4-39cc-4878-a759-0452e055c2ad It’s not an official medical diagnosis, but rather a form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). More than 90 percent of people who menstruate say they get symptoms like bloating, moodiness, and headaches a week or two before their period.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762942e45862-7134-4681-b15c-f1c825f3901f Some also have body aches, joint pain, chills, and other symptoms that feel like the flu but are related to their menstrual cycle.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b13b411c-4b90-4ecf-93f6-05274b30760c These flu-like symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they’re usually short-lived. Period flu typically goes away once the period starts.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292e27c0a8-35db-4c77-bc09-4bc1b13de1cf
Signs and Symptoms of Period Flu Symptoms Period flu symptoms can be different for each person.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629200438f6-f06b-4c72-bee0-2a15b64a5460 Often they appear after ovulation, which happens 14 days before a menstrual period, or a few days before a period starts.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762901051600-95ec-4664-9883-3c00b08515d8 Some people have period flu symptoms along with typical PMS symptoms like bloating, tender breasts, and cramps . Period flu feels similar to being sick with the flu. It comes with symptoms like:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629308f0211-fd0b-4be9-ada2-6943fcddfb59 Fatigue Body aches or joint paine60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629dbd5641a-b9c3-448a-98d7-8da74c1b7d2e Chillse60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295d0b1093-a9ee-4660-82c4-49210c6d012a Headache Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea
Causes and Risk Factors of Period Flu Causes What causes period flu and other symptoms of PMS isn’t fully known.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f3405e02-ea2d-462a-9499-bcb17d521999 The symptoms likely stem from changing levels of hormones and brain chemicals during the menstrual cycle.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f0950484-06d6-4d1d-a604-907721734e87 Estrogen and progesterone are the two main hormones that control the menstrual cycle.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292c993744-434b-4818-b9c6-f4738c08b42b Before each period, cells lining the uterus release prostaglandins, hormones that help this organ contract to push out the uterine lining during menstruation. Prostaglandins also may be responsible for flu-like symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and chills. Fatigue could be related to changing levels of serotonin and other brain chemicals.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ebb68df5-66de-47ab-b1e3-a6dadb4cf625 Serotonin contributes to the irritability some women experience around the time of their period.
How Is Period Flu Diagnosed? Diagnosis Because period flu isn’t an official medical condition, doctors don’t have any specific tests to diagnose it.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297b4c25c7-f7eb-437e-a525-1f77e84913da The diagnosis is mainly based on symptoms. To help your doctor diagnose you, keep a diary of your period symptoms for at least two cycles. Other parts of the diagnostic process include a medical history and tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, like viral infections, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) , and chronic fatigue syndrome .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762902236907-d4f8-418b-8fc2-ab3c4215650d
Treatment and Medication Options for Period Flu Treatment Some of the same treatments for PMS help with period flu.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762994c63d53-6260-480e-9c12-acdb625c4fb4 A combination of medications and complementary therapies can offer symptom relief. Hormonal Contraceptives Period flu, like PMS, is likely related to hormone changes.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762944a93651-7b85-466b-94ae-e93f7ca8a08b Birth control containing estrogen plus progestin (the synthetic form of progesterone) or progestin alone balances out hormone levels and may help with symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297d0809a9-d6ea-47e9-9ca8-274447a2ae8e Hormonal birth control comes in these forms:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293c49374e-09db-49fb-bbbf-410ac0117aa6 Pill Patch Shot Vaginal ring Intrauterine device (IUD) Other Medication Options Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) block prostaglandins, which may be responsible for some period flu symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762925acefe5-4cea-4a27-a166-96951f663ae4 They come in over-the-counter and prescription forms, and may help with symptoms like headache, fever, and body aches. Examples of these pain relievers are:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a578ae70-0e2d-48e4-b85a-ce99f3f012ad Aspirin Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) Naproxen (Aleve) Complementary and Integrative Therapies The following complementary therapies may help to improve your symptoms. Acupuncture Practitioners of this traditional form of Chinese medicine place very thin needles into specific points around the body to relieve pain and promote healing. There’s some evidence that acupuncture might help with menstrual mood symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762975cb0da8-a7c8-48c0-ab19-8fa48f89a5c3 Yoga and Meditation Stress makes PMS symptoms worse.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ebe818c3-9cad-494e-900b-0c3f0ec5101e A yoga or meditation practice eases stress by calming the mind and relaxing the body.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297983c224-2e38-4cdf-83d7-fb46f7f004d4 Research finds yoga helpful for PMS symptoms. Herbal Remedies Chasteberry, which comes from a tree native to the Mediterranean and Asia, may improve PMS headaches, breast pain, and mood changes.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629972bc7be-cda6-4772-b529-f51f99aac3c6 Some women use ginkgo, ginger, and evening primrose oil to treat PMS symptoms, although there’s limited evidence that these remedies are effective.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ed8d2e3f-bd02-48ee-9075-3f14ffb0d028 Talk to a doctor before trying any herbal product to make sure it’s safe for you.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296f749355-f885-4ea3-9e13-1f0a6b25eb41
Prevention of Period Flu Prevention Although it’s not always possible to prevent period flu, lifestyle habits like exercising and eating a well-balanced diet can make symptoms less bothersome.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bf893421-8742-4421-bee7-b20d5bc4ba97 Some women take birth control pills to relieve period pain and ease PMS symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629213bb941-22e4-447c-82c9-deb7993a4edf
Lifestyle Changes for Period Flu Lifestyle Changes No specific lifestyle changes are recommended for period flu, but some of the same strategies that help with PMS might help with its symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762931fbf6cc-14bb-420f-ad92-02f3620f2781 Eat a Well-Balanced Diet Blood sugar swings contribute to the irritability and other mood symptoms women experience during this time of the month.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290de3fea9-8eb3-4d93-8d91-c80539c88ed7 Eating smaller meals throughout the day helps to keep blood sugar levels steady. Focus on foods that are healthy and filling, like:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762966c9528c-3c86-4514-8702-426838e849c8 Fruits and vegetables Proteins such as tofu, beans, chicken, and fish Nuts and seeds Olive oil Calcium not only builds strong bones, but research finds that it helps with PMS symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298c064663-4072-44a9-863c-a97d3d72ebdb Foods like yogurt, milk, cottage cheese, and fortified orange juice are all sources of calcium. If you aren’t getting the recommended 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily from foods alone, ask your doctor about taking a supplement.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b38e483c-c6f5-4e36-8c5e-c4ae09b6a96c Exercise Regularly Women who are very active report fewer PMS symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293daf8506-1b73-4047-ae7c-577d4dd4105a Try to get in at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, or bike riding at least five days a week.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299d03910e-6a39-429d-8aaf-2f0b09de027d Get Enough Sleep Sleeping well is important for both physical and emotional health.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cd98083f-20a4-4fcb-98cb-c345e8d3d828 Good sleep can combat the irritability, headaches, and other symptoms that go with PMS and period flu. However, hormonal changes around the time of menstrual periods can trigger insomnia and make it harder to get a refreshing night’s sleep. To ensure you’re sleeping the recommended 7 to 9 hours nightly, practice good sleep habits:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f15ee954-5004-4bcb-a23f-c5f36f8fc2ba Try to get on a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Do something relaxing at night before bed, like taking a warm bath (which also helps with menstrual cramps). Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Minimize light and noise.
How Long Does Period Flu Last? Prognosis and Outlook Period flu may show up every month with menstrual periods, but it shouldn’t last more than a few days.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291a01bf14-11c1-4c48-8dea-4af313931859 The symptoms typically start a few days before a period and go away once it starts. Rarely do symptoms continue for a week or more. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits can make period flu less uncomfortable.
Research and Statistics: How Many People Have Period Flu Research and Statistics PMS is very common, particularly among women in their thirties.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762905b28456-7f0b-4316-83ce-e4f17cbe9d33 More than 90 percent of women report symptoms like headaches, bloating, and moodiness around the time of their period. But it’s hard to know exactly how many people have period flu.
Conditions Related to Period Flu Related Conditions Period flu is a form of PMS — a collection of symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, bloating, and cramps that occur around the time of menstrual periods.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ec90f618-740f-4328-bfd3-cc5014323d69 Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a much more severe form of PMS. PMDD includes symptoms like:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296a1a6a1c-4eaf-40c1-89a2-dbc7600cfa16 Down mood Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness Anxiety Mood swings Crying bouts Trouble concentrating Loss of interest in daily activities Tiredness or low energy Eating or sleeping more or less than usual Physical symptoms like muscle and joint aches, headaches, breast soreness, and bloating These symptoms start about a week before your period and will end within a few days of your period starting.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295ee67e1f-df75-4b7d-8090-13231156bd98 PMDD is a long-term condition that gets more severe over time. Treatments include antidepressants, birth control pills, and lifestyle changes.
The Takeaway Period flu isn’t a medical condition. Symptoms of period flu may include body aches, nausea and vomiting, chills, and headaches that happen just before a period. Symptoms should only last a few days and improve once the period starts. Birth control pills, pain relievers, and lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can help manage period flu symptoms.
Resources We Trust Cleveland Clinic: How Your Period Can Cause Flu-Like SymptomsUW Medicine: Why Bad Period Symptoms Can Feel Like the FluOffice on Women’s Health: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)MedlinePlus: Premenstrual SyndromeMGH Center for Women’s Mental Health: PMDD/PMS
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Period Flu: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
