:quality(85):upscale()/2021/04/08/049/n/1922729/2c815fe4606f9bc4112a78.03256223_.jpg "What Is the Period Flu? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment")
Somehow, PMS symptoms always take us by surprise, despite them cropping up every month like clockwork. And sure, maybe we should remember to clock nausea, bloating, and mood swings as early signs that our period is coming. But we think it’s more understandable to fail to connect certain other warning signs with our menstrual cycle. For example, did you know your period can cause a low-grade fever, body aches, and GI upset? Yes, apparently the period flu is a thing we should be aware of.
“Period flu is a lay term describing a subset of premenstrual symptoms which mimic flu-like symptoms,” says Mary Jacobson, MD, chief medical officer of Hello Alpha. Symptoms of period flu can range from diarrhea and joint pain to a mild fever. And while “period flu” isn’t an official diagnosis, “a lot of women do experience flu-like symptoms around their periods,” says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine.
The likeliest explanation for period flu? Hormones and prostaglandin. (More on that later!) Fortunately, both experts have tips on how to treat and manage period flu. Ahead, everything you need to know.
Experts Featured in This Article
Mary Jacobson, MD, chief medical officer of Hello Alpha.
Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine.
Shannon Clark, MD, FACOG, and double board-certified ob-gyn.
Symptoms of Period Flu
Period-flu symptoms tend to vary from person to person. Some people will experience these flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to their period, while others will experience them the duration of their period. According to Dr. Jacobson, symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Mild temperature elevation
- Headaches
- Joint or muscle pain
- Feeling bloated
- Diarrhea
- Nasal congestion
The Causes of Period Fever
Running a mild fever ahead of your period is not uncommon. The uterus produces a chemical called prostaglandin, and “prostaglandins do all sorts of things,” says Dr. Minkin — including contract smooth muscles (like of the uterus and the gut, which can cause those detestable cramps, diarrhea, and/or nausea). “Prostaglandins also can raise your temperature and make you achy in general,” Dr. Minkin explains.
Hormonal fluctuations can also contribute to you getting a fever ahead of your period. “Increases in progesterone levels at the time of ovulation cause an increase in basal body temperature,” Dr. Jacobson says. And hormone fluctuations during your cycle can cause your basal body temperature to increase anywhere from 0.3 to 1.0 degrees Celsius, Shannon Clark, MD, FACOG, and double board-certified ob-gyn, told PS.
So let’s say your body typically runs 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, your temperature could go up to 100.4. This isn’t a huge spike, but it’s enough to give you the period flu, where you may feel clammy and hotter than usual.
How to Treat and Manage Period Flu
“Often, lifestyle changes to increase comfort and reduce stress during PMS can be very effective at managing severe symptoms,” says Dr. Jacobson — including period flu. She suggests:
- Light exercise and movement.
- Meditation or breathing exercise.
- Getting 7–8 hours of sleep each night.
- Avoiding junk-food cravings (large amounts of sugar, fat, and salt can trigger drastic mood swings).
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication, even before symptoms begin, particularly ibuprofen and naproxen, which block the making of more prostaglandins, Dr. Minkin adds.
When symptoms are too severe and these at-home changes aren’t effective, Dr. Jacobson suggests consulting with your doctor for further evaluation and treatment recommendations.
They may recommend other FDA-approved medications used to manage some PMS symptoms and PMDD symptoms, including combination birth control pills or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
— Additional reporting by Emily Weaver
Alexis Jones is the senior health and fitness editor at PS. Her passions and areas of expertise include women’s health and fitness, mental health, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women’s Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.
Emily Weaver is an entertainment and lifestyle contributor for PS. Her writing focuses on celebrity relationships, movie and book news, and product shopping guides. Her bylines include PEOPLE, Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, HelloGiggles, Scary Mommy, and more.