How Period Flu Can Impact Your Professional and Personal Life

For some, there may be noticeable indicators that their period is due, perhaps similar to the symptoms of influenza – a contagious virus more commonly known as the flu. While this is not a confirmed medical diagnosis, this cluster of signs is often called ‘period flu’.

What Is Period Flu?

The phrase ‘period flu’ is not a medically recognised condition. It refers to the collection of physical indicators associated with premenstrual syndrome. Before the onset of a monthly cycle, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can manifest physiological and emotional changes. In other words, PMS is an umbrella term for physical and emotional symptoms, including those which may refer to ‘period flu’.

The luteal phase of ovulation, from ovulation to the start of menstruation, is when PMS symptoms typically occur. Many women with PMS claim that the signs usually appear around 5-7 days before their period begins and disappear once it starts.

Typically, menstrual flu persists anywhere from a few days to two weeks and worsens two days before the onset of menstruation.

Causes of Period Flu

Research on the exact causes behind period flu is still ongoing, but what medical professionals do know is that the most probable cause is the hormonal changes that happen in your cycle. PMS doesn’t have a single cause – period flu being just one of the possible effects.

Period flu has been linked to fluctuations in certain hormones and neurotransmitters, according to a 2022 review by scientists. They believe that female sex hormones like estrogen and serotonin may cause symptoms like fatigue.

Further research is required to understand how these substances interact and affect the body.

On top of its impact on serotonin, a decrease in estrogen causes the brain to produce norepinephrine, resulting in a lack of vital neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine. These deficiencies can lead to various PMS issues, like sleep disruption and exhaustion.

Gastrointestinal issues, such as cramps, pain, and diarrhoea, often reported during the period, may be attributed to an influx of prostaglandins – hormone-like substances at their highest concentration during menstruation and trigger an inflammatory response from the immune system.

Period flu has been connected to life decisions. Eating a lot of processed items, too much sugar, deep-fried foods, alcohol and caffeine, and also things like bad sleep habits and not getting regular exercise can lead to symptoms of period flu, according to existing research.

Symptoms of Period Flu

The period flu can cause many unpleasant symptoms similar to premenstrual syndrome, including bloating, tenderness of the breasts, lightheadedness, gastrointestinal issues such as constipation and diarrhoea, cravings for food, headaches, and increased sensitivity to loud noises and bright lights. You might also experience body aches during the period, cold before the period, and cold during the period.

Period Flu Treatments 

Several straightforward lifestyle modifications may help alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Evidence suggests that these adjustments include:

1. Eating a Balanced Diet

Preliminary studies indicate that following a diet high in vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seafood, fruits, nuts, and seeds – like the Mediterranean diet – may assist in relieving period flu symptoms. Of course, more research is necessary to draw a definitive conclusion.

It is worth considering adding calcium-rich items to your diet, such as dairy products, and taking 1,000 mg of calcium daily. It has been proven to alleviate PMS symptoms, like fatigue, changes in hunger, and even depression.

2. Ritual Essentials Multivitamin For Women

This vegan multivitamin supplement, tailored explicitly for women 18 and older, is a great way to ensure you get the nutrients necessary for a fully balanced diet.

This multivitamin has a lot of great features! It’s vegan-friendly and free from gluten, common allergens, and artificial colours. Plus, it contains nine essential nutrients, and the company is fully transparent about its sourcing. To top it off, the multivitamin has been clinically tested and verified by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

3. Reducing Caffeine and Alcohol Intake

Too much caffeine may add to the agitation and restlessness that many people who experience symptoms of period flu feel.

Alcohol consumption may cause fluctuations in sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and gonadotropin (hormones helpful for growth, sexual development and reproduction) during your menstrual cycle, increasing the risk of PMS and period flu.

4. Limiting Salt Intake

Salt is one of the primary dietary sources of sodium and can be widely found in pre-packaged meals, ramen, condiments, bread, cured meats and other processed foods. Limiting salt consumption can help prevent water retention and bloating before a menstrual cycle.

5. Staying Hydrated

Make sure you stay hydrated! Staying hydrated can help lessen women’s cramps and discomfort during their menstrual cycle. Studies suggest that drinking 1.6 to 2 litres of water every day can result in shorter menstrual cycles and less need for medication, implying a decrease in menstrual discomfort.

6. Increasing Physical Activity

Studies indicate that physical activity can be highly beneficial, for instance, low-intensity aerobic activities like walking, jogging, yoga and weightlifting. Engaging in physical activity can help alleviate the effects of PMS, such as moodiness and sleeplessness.

7. Improving Sleep Quality

Sticking to a sleep schedule and ensuring you get good rest is essential. Try to get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night to decrease stress levels and reduce the effects of fatigue.

8. Additional Treatment Options

According to research, if lifestyle modifications don’t improve the severity of period flu symptoms, the following additional treatments might help.

• Over-the-counter NSAIDs such as aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, and Tylenol might relieve symptoms such as pain. These medications inhibit the release of prostaglandin, which can help alleviate menstrual cramps, nausea, and diarrhoea.
• Certain hormonal contraceptives, including combined oral contraceptives (estrogen and progestin), shorten the duration of menses (or may stop them altogether) and reduces prostaglandin production—all of which may reduce pain around menstruation, including aches associated with period flu.

Takeaway Message

Influenza, the virus causing the seasonal flu, is distinct from period flu. Still, some individuals may suffer from similar flu-like symptoms before periods such as headache, fever, digestive discomfort, and exhaustion. Additionally, the symptoms of period flu tend to be similar to PMS and start after ovulation and just before the start of the period.

Generally speaking, the menstrual flu is usually nothing to be concerned about. There is no remedy for it; however, you can address the symptoms with hormone therapy, analgesics, and lifestyle changes, to name a few.

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Frequently asked questions

Disclaimer 

The information given in this article is accurate to our best knowledge. Still, we recommend you consult your healthcare professional before taking any medication or dietary supplements mentioned in this article.

References

• Kwon YJ, Sung DI, Lee JW. Association among Premenstrual Syndrome, Dietary Patterns, and Adherence to Mediterranean Diet. Nutrients.;14(12):2460. 
• Yonkers KA, O’Brien PM, Eriksson E. Premenstrual syndrome. Lancet.;371(9619):1200-1210. 
• Torkan B, Mousavi M, Dehghani S, et al. The role of water intake in the severity of pain and menstrual distress among females suffering from primary dysmenorrhea: a semi-experimental study. BMC Womens Health.;21(1):40.