What is period flu?

Period flu describes a group of symptoms that some people experience just before their period. It has a connection to changes in hormone levels during a person's menstrual cycle. Some of the symptoms, such as body aches and fatigue, can make people feel as though they are coming down with the flu.
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What are period flu symptoms?

The period flu isn't a legit medical term, but it sure does sum up how crummy some people feel during their period. Flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, and even fever are just some of the complaints that have people wondering if they're getting sick or going crazy during that time of the month.
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Is period flu a real thing?

Yes, the 'Period Flu' Is a Real Thing. When your uterine lining sheds, an immune response is triggered that can mirror your body's response to the actual flu. Between the cramps, bloating, breakouts, and back pain, having a monthly period sucks enough.
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Does period flu get worse with age?

If you're approaching menopause, fluctuating hormone levels may be responsible for worsening PMS symptoms. Research shows that women who suffer from PMS earlier in life tend to have a rockier transition to menopause later in life. These hormonal changes can cause PMS to flare up more noticeably every month.
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Why do I get so sick on my period?

Hormones are usually the cause

For most women who experience nausea during or before their periods, it's just a normal part of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). A hormone called prostaglandin circulates around your body during your time of the month. It can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches.
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Yes, 'Period Flu' is a real thing — this is what it feels like



Can period flu cause sore throat?

Things like nausea, headaches, a runny nose, excessive fatigue, a sore throat, dizziness, or even a slight fever might point to a period cold.
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Why do I feel like I have fever during my period?

Prostaglandin binds to receptors in your hypothalamus, the part of your brain responsible for regulating your body's temperature, leading to an increase in body temperature (fever) and other symptoms such as uterine cramps.
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Can periods cause fever and chills?

Others will experience the worst symptoms during their period. These can range from fatigue, muscle aches and fever or chills (much like the real flu), to nausea, headaches or dizziness. Some even feel stomach-bug-like symptoms such as diarrhoea or constipation.
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Can PMS cause flu-like symptoms?

Many people who have periods experience something similar and often call it “period flu.” But it isn't really the flu (influenza), and you can't spread it to others. These flu-like feelings are similar to or overlap with a group of symptoms doctor call dysmenorrhea (painful periods) or premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
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Why do I cough when I have my period?

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some women may have more or fewer asthma symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing, depending on their time of the month, a new study suggests. Researchers said spikes and dips in estrogen and other hormones likely affect the lungs and other physiological responses involved in breathing.
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Why do I feel like I have a cold before my period?

"Before your period, estrogen levels and progesterone levels can fluctuate suddenly instead of slowly, which is why headaches, nausea and flu-like symptoms may appear."
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How long does a period cold last?

What Is Period Flu? Period flu is a condition that makes some women experience flu-like symptoms during their periods. Normally, these symptoms last between two to three days before their periods start until the day their periods end.
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Can your period cause a stuffy nose?

Oestrogens have been considered to cause nasal congestion during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy.
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Is your immune system weaker on your period?

During the luteal phase of your cycle (after ovulation), the immune system is suppressed and much less likely to react to any invading illnesses. As mentioned above, this is due to rising levels of progesterone, as well as changes in testosterone levels.
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Can your period give you a fever?

Yes. While the period flu may not be recognized as an official medical condition, severe symptoms of PMS and menstruation, like fever and chills during a period, are incredibly disruptive for many women.
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Why do I have shortness of breath on my period?

You may suffer from premenstrual asthma. “Breathing patterns can be affected by where you are in your cycle,” says Dr. Watson- Locklear. “Shortness of breath and allergic sensitivity increase right before you get your period.
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Is it normal to have chest pain during period?

At times of the month when less estrogen is circulating in their bloodstreams, these women tend to have worse chest pain, or angina, and to perform more poorly on treadmill tests designed to look for low blood flow to the heart, according to a small study published in the journal Heart.
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Can you cough up period blood?

In about 14 percent of cases, blood may accumulate in the chest cavity during periods, a condition called catamenial hemothorax. In some rare cases (about 5 percent), women have been reported to cough up blood during their menstrual cycles, having a condition known as catamenial hemoptysis.
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How do I get rid of chest pain during my period?

Cutting back on salt, sugar, caffeine, and dairy may help. You might feel more comfortable if you wear a supportive bra during this time. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain. Regular exercise also may help lessen menstrual breast pain.
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What does endometriosis feel like in lungs?

In some people with endometriosis, the endometrium-like patches grow on or around the lungs. This can cause coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
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Can heavy periods cause chest pain?

Heavy menstrual bleeding, called menorrhagia, is fairly common but may lead to serious complications. Untreated heavy menstrual bleeding can cause anemia. If you experience weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain along with heavy menstrual bleeding, it's recommended that you seek medical attention.
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Why does my heart beat fast during my period?

The change in the heart rate during the menstrual cycle is due to the action of hormones in the body. Estrogen and progesterone are both female hormones that somewhat control circulation in the body hence influencing the heart rate.
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Why does my arm hurt before my period?

Molecular compounds called prostaglandins are released during menstruation, and these are thought to be a major factor in triggering associated pain in muscles and joints [3].
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Can your period affect your heart?

A rapid, skipping, or fluttering heartbeat can occur around the time of your period. Heart palpitations "are common with any hormone fluctuation," such as those associated with the thyroid or perimenopause, says Nieca Goldberg, M.D., medical director of the Joan H.
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Can periods make you dizzy?

Dizziness before your period is often caused by the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle. PMS, PMDD, and dysmenorrhea are the most common causes. Other conditions that cause dizziness, such as low blood pressure, can also be caused by hormonal changes from your period.
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