Do You Get Flu-Like Symptoms While On Your Period? Here’s What An Expert Has To Say

Extreme fatigue. Weakness. Low mood. Chills. Nausea. Body Aches. 

It isn’t the occasional cold flu or Covid-19 we’re talking about here. For some of us, dealing with these symptoms is a monthly tussle as we tend to experience them while on our period. Deemed as a harsher version of premenstrual syndrome, this flu-like condition is casually called ‘period flu’. We say “casually” because unfortunately, there’s no medical term or a legit diagnosis for it. However, according to a 2021 study, 75% of menstruating women suffer from disturbing PMS symptoms like these that can disrupt their regular routine. 

Now, y’all know how hard the occasional flu can be on your body. Imagine experiencing similar signs every month–while you’re also losing blood! Ouch! The fact that it’s not even a recognised condition can drive you up the wall. That’s why we got in touch with Dr. Poornima Ramakrishna, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Apollo Cradle and Children’s Hospital, Bangalore to know more about this condition. Here are all the deets:

What In the World Is Period Flu?

Period flu is not a disease or a contagious infection. It is purely driven by hormonal changes and usually occurs in women between 20-30 years of age. “In the middle of the menstrual cycle, the progesterone (pregnancy-supporting hormone) levels increase dramatically after the ovaries release eggs for fertilisation. This leads to an increase in estrogen levels as well. Together, these hormones trigger symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, acne, and bloating,” explains Dr. Poornima.

However, when there’s no pregnancy, these hormones drop again to shed the uterine lining. This drastic rise and fall can lead to a more severe form of PMS. “One can experience flu-like symptoms ranging from body and head aches to rise in body temperature, nausea, and breast tenderness,” says Dr. Poornima. 

Can It Make You Feel Sad?

Unfortunately, yes, it can! The drastic hormonal changes can affect brain chemicals called neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. “These chemicals influence mood, sleep, and motivation. The decrease in their levels can cause sadness, anxiety, depression, irritability, poor sleep quality, and food cravings,” explains Dr Poornima.

Additionally, it can also aggravate existing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Worse still, sometimes it can turn into frequent bouts of crying, severe depression and anxiety, or panic attacks and suicidal tendencies. “These symptoms are indicative of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and need immediate medical intervention,” warns Dr Poonam.

How Can You Deal With Period Flu?

Here’s the good part: period flu doesn’t have any health implications despite making your life miserable before your period. It’ll settle once your period is over. Plus, you can manage it better to make your life easier. Here’s how:

Eat Well

Consuming a balanced diet is the first and the most important step toward getting your hormones under control. “Include whole grains like wheat and barley in your diet. Also have green leafy vegetables, and protein-rich pulses and dairy products like curd and cottage cheese,” suggests Dr Poornima.

Supplement Your Diet

PMS can sometimes worsen due to nutritional deficiencies like that of vitamin D, B6, and iron. But you can cover them up by taking nutritional supplements like Sirona’s PMS Gummies. Rich in vitamin B6 and chasteberry, they can help balance your hormones and alleviate PMS symptoms. These chewable gummies also contain Doing Quai (female ginseng) to combat fatigue and lemon balm to keep you calm. Regular consumption of one gummy a day can help you manage PMS better. 

In fact, you can take this period survey to know more about periods and exactly what you need to manage them better.

Ditch Painkillers

The menstrual cramps, body and head aches make it difficult for you to survive your period without painkillers. However, according to a study published in the Journal of Pain Research, regular consumption of these pills can damage your vital organs. It can lead to cardiovascular complications, stomach ulcers, and kidney impairment. Now, we totally understand that the pain is unbearable. But there’s a side-effect-free way to alleviate it. Enter Sirona’s Pain Relief Heat Patch—made with natural actives, this discreet patch can be stuck easily on the area in pain. It provides instant relief and releases heat for up to 8 hours to keep you comfortable. 

For headaches, you can use Sirona’s Herbal Headache Relief Patch. This too is made with natural ingredients like clove oil, menthol, and eucalyptus oil. It can be stuck on the forehead for instant, long-lasting, and side-effect-free respite from headaches.

Stay Active

“Exercising at least three days a week for at least 30 minutes can help you restore your hormonal balance. It can also help reduce stress and boost your mood,” says Dr Poornima. Additionally, it can also help relieve period cramps and make you feel more energetic on your period. If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a low-impact, beginner-friendly workout:

With all these tips, you’re sure to manage your period flu better.

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