Period flu is a collection of flu-like symptoms that start just before a menstrual period. 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. Some also have body aches, joint pain, chills, and other symptoms that feel like the flu but are related to their menstrual cycle. These flu-like symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they're usually short-lived. Period flu typically goes away once the period starts.
Period flu symptoms can be different for each person. Often they appear after ovulation, which happens 14 days before a menstrual period, or a few days before a period starts. 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:
Fatigue
Body aches or joint pain
Chills
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
What causes period flu and other symptoms of PMS isn't fully known. The symptoms likely stem from changing levels of hormones and brain chemicals during the menstrual cycle.
Estrogen and progesterone are the two main hormones that control the menstrual cycle. 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. Serotonin contributes to the irritability some women experience around the time of their period.
Because period flu isn't an official medical condition, doctors don't have any specific tests to diagnose it. 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.
Some of the same treatments for PMS help with period flu. A combination of medications and complementary therapies can offer symptom relief.
Hormonal Contraceptives
Period flu, like PMS, is likely related to hormone changes. Birth control containing estrogen plus progestin (the synthetic form of progesterone) or progestin alone balances out hormone levels and may help with symptoms.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) block prostaglandins, which may be responsible for some period flu symptoms. 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:
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.
Yoga and Meditation Stress makes PMS symptoms worse. A yoga or meditation practice eases stress by calming the mind and relaxing the body. 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. Some women use ginkgo, ginger, and evening primrose oil to treat PMS symptoms, although there's limited evidence that these remedies are effective. Talk to a doctor before trying any herbal product to make sure it's safe for you.
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. Some women take birth control pills to relieve period pain and ease PMS symptoms.
No specific lifestyle changes are recommended for period flu, but some of the same strategies that help with PMS might help with its symptoms.
Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
Blood sugar swings contribute to the irritability and other mood symptoms women experience during this time of the month. Eating smaller meals throughout the day helps to keep blood sugar levels steady. Focus on foods that are healthy and filling, like:
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. 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.
Exercise Regularly
Women who are very active report fewer PMS symptoms. Try to get in at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, or bike riding at least five days a week.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleeping well is important for both physical and emotional health. 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:
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.
Period flu may show up every month with menstrual periods, but it shouldn't last more than a few days. 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.
PMS is very common, particularly among women in their thirties. 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.
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.Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a much more severe form of PMS. PMDD includes symptoms like:
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. PMDD is a long-term condition that gets more severe over time. Treatments include antidepressants, birth control pills, and lifestyle changes.
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.
