What Is “periodic Flu” and How to Deal With It?
If you have periods, you know about premenstrual syndrome. PMS, as it is commonly known, is a collection of physical and emotional troubles that can occur shortly before your period starts. But for some people, this time of the month can include symptoms that resemble an actual illness.
Is the ‘monthly flu’ real?
The periodic flu is real in the sense that people experience it and have given it a name, but it is not the flu, it is not contagious, and it is not a medically defined disease. In other words, a doctor cannot be diagnosed with menstrual flu.
What are the symptoms of the periodic flu?
Symptoms that are referred to as “periodic flu” include:
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness or wobbly feeling
- tides
- Sweating at night or when you don’t otherwise expect to be hot
- convulsions
- bloating
- Backache
- Abdominal pain
Some people also report a fever, runny nose, or sore throat.
One of the causes of these symptoms is high levels of prostaglandins just before and at the beginning of menstruation. These are hormones that help the cervix to open up, but they can also cause bowel movements (hence diarrhea and gas ). They are also used by the body to fight infections and play a role in symptoms such as fever. So it is not surprising that the approaching period will look like a disease.
Of course, there are other hormones as well. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop at the same time, and there are many theories about what exactly causes the worst “menstrual flu” symptoms.
Periodic flu symptoms overlap with other illnesses and conditions
Before blaming your symptoms on the menstrual flu, consider if something else is going on. If you have nausea, chills, and weakness that you usually don’t have before your period, it’s possible that you have the real flu (or COVID, or stomach upset, or whatever).
Endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus itself. Symptoms can include extremely painful periods, pain during sex, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea, and painful bowel movements.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is another condition associated with menstruation and PMS, but its main feature is mood changes. People may be irritable or depressed to the point of suicidal thoughts, they may have panic attacks or fatigue. You may also have physical symptoms, including seizures, headaches, or muscle aches.
Perimenopause can occur years before menstruation stops and can include hot flashes, mood swings, and heavy, light, or irregular periods.
Finally, it’s worth considering whether something else might be affecting your health besides menstruation or infectious diseases. In one online discussion about menstrual flu, one person said that his symptoms were caused by an allergy to acetaminophen (Tylenol), a common pain reliever that people often take to relieve their period symptoms.
What to do with periodic flu
First of all, if you have severe symptoms, talk to a specialist, such as your gynecologist. They can help you find out if you have one of the above conditions and prescribe the appropriate treatment. They can also help rule out the possibility that something else might be going on, such as an actual infectious disease.
If your symptoms are not too severe, consider taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. It blocks the formation of prostaglandins, thus reducing symptoms, but the catch is that you need to take it before things get bad . If you’re monitoring your period and know when it’s about to start, consider taking Motrin the day before.
Another thing to discuss with your doctor is whether changing your birth control might help. If you are not using the hormonal method, once you start it, you will be able to manage some of the symptoms. There are also medications that can help with some symptoms: for example, antidepressants may be suitable for some people who have problems with depressive feelings.