Have you ever felt nausea, dizziness, or other flu-like symptoms frequently around your period?
If your answer is yes, then you are not alone. This condition is known as menstrual flu, which is a term used to describe flu-like symptoms that some women may experience before or during their menstrual cycle, according to the Kloppland Clinic website.
Although this term is not a medical term, it is commonly used to describe symptoms that appear in some women.
What is the menstrual cycle?
The menstrual cycle begins when menstruation occurs. The cycle usually lasts between 24 and 38 days. The menstrual cycle consists of four phases due to the rise and fall of hormone levels. Here is a breakdown of these phases:
- Menstruation stage: This stage begins on the first day of the menstrual cycle, and this is when the uterine lining sheds through the vagina. Most women bleed for a period ranging from 3-5 days, and it may continue for 7 days in others.
- Follicular phase: This phase begins on the day your menstrual cycle begins and ends at ovulation, which is the process of releasing an egg from the ovary (it overlaps with the menstrual phase and ends at ovulation). During this time, the level of estrogen rises, causing the lining of the uterus to grow and thicken. Within 10 to 14 days, a fully mature egg is formed.
- Ovulation: This stage occurs approximately on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle. On this day, the mature egg is released from the ovary.
- Luteal phase: This phase lasts from approximately day 15 to day 28, when the egg separates from the ovary and begins to travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. During this period, the level of the hormone progesterone rises to help prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy, if this egg is fertilized by a sperm. It attaches to the wall of the uterus and pregnancy occurs. If pregnancy does not occur, the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone decrease and the thick uterine lining sheds during the menstrual cycle, and thus the cycle begins again.
Menstrual flu symptoms
PMS symptoms can begin at any time after ovulation, but it is unusual for these symptoms to appear for the full two weeks between ovulation and the start of your period.
Many women often suffer from some of the following symptoms:
- Feeling pain in the abdomen, muscles or joints
- diarrhea
- Feeling tired and lethargic
- Feeling feverish
- Some people experience migraines or tension headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Emotional changes
These symptoms in women may vary in severity and duration, and may be affected by many factors, such as stress, diet, and general health.
What causes menstrual flu?
The exact cause of menstrual flu is not known, but it is certain that hormonal changes in females during the menstrual cycle play a major role in it.
This condition is associated with the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in women and ends with menstruation. This period of the cycle is usually associated with a rise in progesterone and estrogen together, and these are the hormones that are often the reason for the appearance of these symptoms.
In addition, during this period, levels of another chemical in the body called prostaglandins rise, which causes multiple inflammation in multiple places in the body, and this may play a role in the appearance of some symptoms such as muscle pain and fatigue, although this may happen. For some women it does not appear for others.
How do we treat menstrual flu?
There is no specific treatment for menstrual flu, but it depends on managing the symptoms during this period. Here are some treatments and guidelines that may alleviate these symptoms:
1- A healthy diet
Follow a healthy diet that improves menstrual symptoms by stabilizing blood sugar, as changes in blood sugar can increase your desire to eat and increase your mood swings, so you can eat light, healthy meals throughout the day, which Helps regulate blood sugar better.
2- Focus on some foods
Eat some foods that may help reduce inflammation in the body, and thus help relieve menstrual flu symptoms, including the following:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Lean proteins
- Nuts and seeds
- Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish
You can also reduce your intake of other foods such as:
- Animal proteins
- Caffeine
- Refined sugars
- Salt
- Saturated fats
Make sure to get an additional amount of calcium by eating foods rich in it. Studies indicate that calcium may improve menstrual symptoms, especially mood changes. The use of vitamin D increases calcium absorption, so it is useful to ensure that vitamin D You have it at normal levels.
3- Painkillers
Use pain relievers that belong to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) family, which are non-prescription treatments that relieve body pain, such as ibuprofen.
4- Compresses
Use warm compresses, as warm compresses help reduce abdominal and muscle pain resulting from menstruation, and also give you a feeling of warmth and comfort.
5- Reduce stress
Reduce stress. This helps you manage the psychological aspects of menstruation, such as depression, anxiety, and accompanying mood swings. Stress can be reduced through some simple practices, including the following:
- Exercise
- Get enough sleep
- Spend time outdoors
6- You have to water
Keep drinking enough water. This helps you keep your body hydrated, and this prevents headaches.
7- Consult a doctor
If you get the menstrual flu every month, there’s no need to put up with the annoying symptoms until they go away. Talk to your doctor to find out the best way to relieve the pain, whether that’s prescription medication or sometimes using antidepressants. You can work with your doctor to find what helps you feel better every day. Day of the month.