Feeling Feverish and Tired During Menstrual Cycle? This is Could be a Sign of Period Flu – All You Need to Know

Are headaches and digestive problems common during the menstrual cycle? Here’s what you should know about menstrual flu

Period pain is different for every woman. For some, it can be debilitating, while for others, not so much. In addition to the usual pain, do you also feel feverish, or suffer from a severe headache and flu-like symptoms during your menstrual cycle? This is what experts call “period flu.” The menstrual cycle is a complex process that can affect the body in different ways, some of which are not well known. One of these conditions is period flu, where women experience flu-like symptoms during or around their period. While not all women suffer from period flu, those who do find it quite uncomfortable.

What is menstrual flu?

According to Dr. Nandita Palshetkar, Obstetrician, Gynecologist, Director, Bloom IVF India and President, IVF Society of India (ISAR), menstrual flu refers to a group of symptoms similar to those associated with the flu, but related to the menstrual cycle. These usually manifest during the latter part of the menstrual cycle, which is also called the luteal phase or during the period. The intensity and duration of these symptoms can vary, although they are not caused by a viral infection per se, they can be disabling in equal measure.

Hormonal fluctuations are the cause of most of these symptoms and cases of menstrual flu. During the menstrual cycle, there is always an increase or decrease in the levels of estrogen and progesterone. As a result, the immune system’s response slows down, becoming ineffective against bacterial or viral infections, leading to flu-like symptoms. In addition, prostaglandins, which help contract the uterus, tend to cause inflammation and pain in other parts of the body.

Symptoms of menstrual flu

1. Fatigue and weakness: Fatigue is probably the most common symptom of menstrual flu. It can be so intense that even after a full night’s sleep, women feel extremely tired and have difficulty performing their daily tasks. Energy levels can be affected by hormonal changes and in turn cause exhaustion due to reduced estrogen and progesterone.
2. Muscle and joint pain: Similar to what happens with the flu, some women experience muscle strains or joint pain during menstruation. Muscles may ache due to the presence of prostaglandins that facilitate uterine contractions during the menstrual cycle.
3. Headaches and migraines: Women suffer from headaches or migraines just before or during their menstrual periods. These can range from mild to severe, but they greatly affect a woman’s daily life. Menstrual migraines, as well as tension headaches, are mainly triggered by the decrease in estrogen levels before menstrual periods.
4. Feeling feverish: This involves a feeling of fever accompanied by chills, hot flashes, increased body temperature, etc., according to some women. These temperature changes can occur due to hormonal fluctuations in which people experience sensations similar to those of a mild fever.
5. Nausea and digestive problems: Nausea, bloating, diarrhea and other digestive upsets are typical menstrual cycle symptoms that can mimic those of a gastrointestinal flu. Prostaglandins that trigger contractions in the uterus can also affect the gastrointestinal tract, leading to nausea and altered bowel movements, explained Dr. Nandita Palshetkar.
6. Sore throat and swollen lymph nodes: Another less common but noticeable symptom is a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, which can make swallowing difficult and resemble the onset of a cold. The immune system can be temporarily suppressed at some stages of the menstrual cycle, making minor infections and inflammations occur quite easily.
7. Mood swings and irritability: Emotional problems such as mood swings, irritability and even depression are common, and the physical discomforts of menstrual flu are more severe than usual. Mood swings are caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly low serotonin levels, similar to those experienced when you have the flu.

How to control menstrual flu?

Although menstrual flu is uncomfortable, there are things you can do to control its symptoms:

• Rest and hydration: Make sure you get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of fluids so your body can withstand fatigue and other signs.
• Heat therapy:You can use a heating pad or take warm baths, which will help relieve muscle pain and cramps.
• Balanced diet: Symptoms may be controlled by consuming appropriate food groups that have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Stress management: To reduce stress levels and improve your mood, you can practice yoga, meditation and deep breathing.

If symptoms become severe, persist beyond the menstrual cycle, or significantly disrupt daily life, it is essential to seek medical attention. Period flu is a real, but widely misunderstood condition that affects many women during their periods. Knowing what causes the symptoms can be helpful in effectively treating them and therefore improving overall health.