flu-like symptoms EVERY MONTH with period.

[monthlymalaise]

I posted in "General Health" but since my GP has said maybe it's peri-menopause (not had my hormone levels checked, however) I am posting here as well.

I have a splitting headache, stuffy nose, nausea, body aches . . . like a bad case of flu, only it's not. It's the first two-three days of EVERY period, EVERY bloody month (pun intended). I am 44 and this has been going on for two or three years now, though with increasing severity this year, to the point where it's every month instead of being every few months or every other month. Am completely fed up with missing out on life, having people imply that I'm "sickly" or just making excuses to get out of doing things, having GP make vague suggestion that if I work out the symptoms may ease . . . . This is not "just cramps" or PMT. I have had those and I got on with life. This, by contrast, has me bedridden and miserable.

Who else here suffers with this, and have you gotten any help from your doctor? Any alternative medicine-type treatment work for you? I have been trying acupuncture and have now started on some Chinese herbs. I can't go on like this -- it's interfering with my life too much and I'm really angry that apparently I'm supposed to just accept this diminished quality of life. I am unemployed right now and can't see how any employer would put up with me having to book off sick two-three days a month, either.

[AlmightyCitrus]

Start taking supplements with sage in them. It probably won't work straight away, (depends on how far into the menopause you are).

You could also try supplements containing Red Clover or Black Cohosh. (Some firms do a tablet of black cohosh and sage together).

Evening primrose is also beneficial, and if you can bear to give up dairy and use soy instead, that would also help.

[monthlymalaise]

Thanks very much Alimighty. I have just been dong some further reading / googling on sage and found an interesting fact: lavender is a phytoestrogen. Since from what I'm reading I'm beginning to suspect my problem is related to estrogen dominance, I should apparently stop using lavender body washes, etc. Tea tree oil is another phytoestrogen and I have often used it. I'm posting this here in hopes it might help others -- I had absolutely no idea!

[monthlymalaise]

Almighty, I mean. Still foggy today . . .

[Ooopsadaisy]

42 years old. Have mirena coil to help control monstrous periods.

Two days before each (very light - almost negligable) period I get dry itchy eyes, sneezes and runny nose. I also feel the cold more than normal and want to sleep more.

Odd but I don't let it interfere with my life in any way.

I don't take any lotions or potions.

Mirena coil probably saved my sanity about 8 years ago.

If all I have to contend with are a few coldy problems then that is nothing to the problems I had before.

Sorry to hear about your symptoms OP. I don't think you should accept a diminished quality of life at all. See a sympathetic GP and get it sorted. Life is way too short.

[FrameyMcFrame]

Could you be having menstrual migraines?

[FrameyMcFrame]

By the way, stuffy noses are a symptom of migraines too, along with nausea and headache.

[Pobbette]

I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms but also relieved as I am exactly the same!!
I'm 40 and perimenopausal which blood tests have shown over the last two years. I get what I think is called "crashing fatigue" about 2 days before a period time and it lasts about 3-4 days. I feel as though I have got the flu without the snot (!), nauseous, no energy whatsoever and headachey. Most months I get 2 migraines too which are about day one and day 4 of cycle. I also have got very painful joints, muscles, tendons etc all of the time.
It leaves me feeling very helpless as I cannot do anything on these days. It's even hard to have a shower or eat.
I have just been prescribed my first HRT patch which is Evorel 25. I already take Menopace vitamin & calcium suppliments and try to eat well.
I'm hoping for a miracle or for some normality back!!!

[Smum99]

Just wondered if anyone had any updates - I have similar tiredness, which I would describe as flu like, it sometimes feels like the energy has been literally sucked out of me. I tend to feel like it for several days after my period starts and finally recover for a few days only for the cycle to start again.

GP did do blood tests, for iron, thyroid, but when I suggest it's hormone relate she just says we can't test that!! I loathe that GPs are so dismissive and they appear to lack knowledge.

[Bees7575]

I'm 47 years old and I've started perimenapause..... Recently before I get my period I get a very bad headache, body aches, runny nose, etc...also I feel foggy like I'm really congested and extremely tired. Kinda like a cold or really bad allergies.....
As soon as I get my period the symptoms go away within a day.....

Then I have months without these symptoms I'm up all night can't sleep this also usually happens right before I get my period...

Help has anyone experienced this!

[Darkesteyes]

Yes im 41 and every month when i have my period im headachy and tired Really tired even when i get 8 or 9 hours sleep.

[Bees7575]

But do you feel like cold like symptoms?

[Bees7575]

It a crazy I even ovulated 4 days after my period

[bebbia]

Just did a google search on monthly flu symptoms and came across your discussion. I have only just linked my flu symptoms with my period cycle by going back on my texts where I cancel clients each month. Each text says that I can't work as I am going down with flu. I am currently experiencing flu symptoms yet again of headache, a cold, lack of sleep, high temperature and extreme tiredness and not been able to work all week. I am self employed and therefore lose money each time I cancel because I am a tutor and did not want to pass on a flu bug to my students. In some ways, I now know that I am probably not catching but in another way, the symptoms are getting worse and any advice or solutions would be grateful. I am 49 so am assuming I am at the start of the menopause.

[BrighterLight]

I wish I had read this a year ago - I had the same thing. I kept thinking I had a cold or sinusitis or developed allergies.

I responded by drinking more water and saltwater rinses for my sinuses. I then developed dry eyes and used drops for a bit. The symptoms came and went in no particular pattern I noticed.

I think mine definately was related to hormones as I now know that dryness in general is a sign of hormones fluctuating

[pinkfrocks]

It's actually really common to feel hot just before or during periods. It's also very common to get headaches- these are due to the sudden fall in progesterone that happens just before you start bleeding. As we get nearer the menopause the levels can be all over the place which is why your PMS might feel worse.

The answer could be HRT because this will at least regulate your cycle and give you a constant level of hormones but you might have to experiment because the progesterone varies in HRT- there are 3 different types and some women can't tolerate some types.

If you don't want to try HRT then consider- and do it anyway!- a lifestyle overhaul. This is the time when a really healthy diet and exercise can make a huge difference. I think there is some evidence that too much salt and refined carbs /sugar make PMS worse and some people suggest really cutting back on these in the week before a period.

[jannette123]

Do any of you get a sore throat as well as the aching joints headache and basically just feeling rough .I'm 44 and get lots of other symptoms but this as only started over last couple of months.

[Tina130377]

I've had this for about 5 years now.

Came off the pill last year as I thought maybe that was adding to it. But the headaches etc got even more regular. Every 4 weeks bang on.

Iv tried all sort of things from the doc every month including hormone patches. Nothing works.

Iv asked to go back on the pill because at least i was going slightly longer than every 4 weeks. But this is driving me crazy.

I literally lose about 48 hours at its best. I'm so ill. Severe migraine and flu symptoms sickness every 30 mins for about 12 hours. Honestly it's ruining my life and I need help.

Hopefully someone can offer advice as I'm running out of patience I'm feeling depressed and anxious all the time and my mood is very low.

Thank you to anyone who can help

[user1494427269]

colds and flu at onset of period. I have been following this problem - and the thousands of women worldwide who suffer from it - for a while now. I have written to the BMJ about it at length (850 words) which they have decided not to publish because it is not 'research based'! I have seen my doctor who is trying to help but is baffled. Recently I had a pill which solved the problem and I was well for three years - that has now disappeared from the marked! SO I am planning now to write to Woman's Hour and to continue to follow any thread I can - 'London Hormone Clinic' is also on my list. If enough women make enough fuss in enough places we surely can get someone to pay attention. Women all over the world have this problem and it is wretched. I believe it can be solved by someone somewhere. Publicity is really important, and refusing to take 'sorry' for an answer.

[Munchyseeds]

Used to happen to me most months...would feel like I was getting a cold, would have a sore throat. Eventually made the link with my periods
Think it is really just "one of those things"

[lljkk]

I had this a lot when I was young but not in middle aged. I guess immune system dips with hormone dips?

[user1494427269]

Thankyou to the two ladies who responded to my 'colds with periods'.
I agree that it gets better after the menopause - although t doesn't necessarily go away altogether and I still get problems. I cannot accept that it is 'just one of those things' Too many women, thousands worldwide, get this problem and some of them are really ill with it and unable to function properly two weeks out of four!
I would like to start a campaign to get the condition noticed by the medical profession. I agree that it is hormonal and because of that I think it should be identifiable. If we can send people into space then this can't be beyond our ability to solve.
I have written 850 words on the matter to the BMJ at their request(which they have now decided, unfortunately, not to publish) and I will go on trying to bring it to the attention of the medical profession. Women getting together and making a big fuss would help - so come on girls....
Any suggestions most welcome.

[Pennymayc]

Hi just come across this thread I suffer every month with flu symptoms before my period but also in the days leading up to ovulation. I'm 48 and in peri menopause and have started taking hrt but it isn't helping the debilitating flu symptoms twice a month now. I feel like I'm never well and it's just getting worse and worse. I've just spent Tues to today Thursday in bed feeling like I'm dying. Going to have to call in sick at work tomorrow. I only work part-time thank goodness. My question is does anyone get flu symptoms pre ovulation to? Any advice on how to stop this happening twice a month? X

[PookieDo]

I just did a search and this came up. I am 38 and fully in period flu mode for 4 months now. This month has been the worst one. Feels like a cold or flu, everything aches headache, high fever then chills then suddenly goes away

I also have rock hard painful boobs - breast clinic this week

I take evening promise oil and it isn’t helping

I am sweating as if I have run a marathon today!

[Lexipie14]

Reading all these other post gives me a little bit of comfort, not sure thats the right way to put it.
I have been suffering these symptons for about 7 years now, I am 55 and I am on HRT, I went to my doctor and she said she had never heard of these flu like symptons during the menopause or in some womens cases, just before a period. She decided to reduce my HRT intake by halfing the dose and it worked for about 6 months but I have had now 2 attacks in the last 4 months, like previous messages from ladies my life is put on hold, I cant brush my hair never mind work, its really getting me down, I run my own business and lose money but to be honest I would love to know how to avoid these symptons or when it comes know how to get through it a bit easier, I take Paracetamol, it helps with the blinding headaches I get with it.
I always have it for 3 days and in that 3 days I can never imagine feeling normal again, its horrible. If any one has discovered anything to help ease the symptons, myself and a lot of women would sure appreciate any info available.
I sit on my sofa for 3 days straight, I can cook, not that I want to eat much as my appetite is low and I feel queezy.

Any advice as I said would be very much appreciated.

[Emerald13]

I guess that you need to take your initial dose of hrt. Maybe reducing the amount of estrogen isn’t a good idea.