Feeling sick before your period? How to ease period flu symptoms

Ever feel like you’re coming down with the flu right before your period, only for the symptoms to mysteriously disappear a few days later? You’re not alone. Many people report experiencing what social media has dubbed "period flu"—a nonmedical term used online to describe flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to menstruation.

Here's everything you need to know about period flu symptoms, why they happen and how to feel better leading up to your period.

What is period flu?

Period flu, also called menstrual flu, is a set of flu-like symptoms that some people experience leading up to or during their period. Although you might feel sick, period flu isn’t caused by a virus like influenza.

Period flu is essentially the same thing as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which can cause symptoms similar to the flu—but don’t worry, it’s not contagious. Period flu, or PMS, is the result of hormonal fluctuations around the menstrual cycle.

Period flu symptoms

Period flu symptoms are the same as PMS symptoms, which can vary from person to person and cycle to cycle. In addition to common PMS symptoms like abdominal cramps, flu-like symptoms people associate with period flu include:

• Body aches
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting

These period flu symptoms typically begin a few days to a week leading up to your period, although the exact timing may vary.

How to relieve period flu symptoms

If you’re feeling under the weather because of your approaching period, it’s a good time to take it easy and focus on self-care. Here are a few strategies to help relieve period flu symptoms and feel better quickly.

Rest

Slow down and prioritize rest during this time of your cycle. Make sure you get 7-9 hours of quality sleep at night to give your body the rest it needs.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, try winding down for 30 minutes to an hour before your goal bedtime to give your body and brain time to relax before your head hits the pillow. Put your phone away and pick up a book, journal or whatever activity helps you unwind from the day.

Nourish your body

What you eat throughout your cycle makes a big impact on how you feel. Fill your plate with lots of colorful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats to nourish your body with nutrients and help fight inflammation.

Limit your intake of foods that can cause inflammation and blood sugar spikes, such as refined sugar, caffeine, processed foods, salt and saturated fats.

Use pain relievers

If you’re experiencing cramps or body aches due to period flu, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve the pain. Available over the counter, NSAIDs work by blocking your body’s production of prostaglandin to help ease pain.

Heat therapy

While you’re resting, try using a heating pad to relieve cramps and muscle pains from PMS and period flu. You can place the heating pad on your stomach, back or wherever you’re experiencing pain.

Incorporate gentle movement

How you exercise at different points in your cycle can significantly impact how you feel. While now isn’t the time for high intensity exercise or hitting personal records, incorporating gentle movement into your day can help boost your mood and relieve tense muscles.

Try going for a walk, yoga, stretching or any form of low impact exercise that feels good to you.

Talk to your doctor

If you find that period flu symptoms are impacting your quality of life, talk to your OBGYN or primary care provider. They may recommend running a few tests to make sure there’s not an underlying condition causing your symptoms. Your doctor can also help you understand whether hormonal birth control could help ease your period flu symptoms.

Dealing with period flu symptoms? Talk to your doctor or find an OBGYN near you today.