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Original poster

The premenstrual "coming down with a virus" feeling

39 replies

APlot · 17/12/2021 08:12

Does anyone else get this?? None of my friends experience it and my GP hasn't heard of it either.

In the week before my period, I get short of breath, my throat/chest feels scratchy, my legs feel heavy, I sleep more and wake up feeling quite weak, and my usual exercise feels really difficult. It feels exactly like coming down with a virus. Then my period starts and it goes away.

What is it about the menstrual cycle that causes this??

OP posts:
HairyFanjoBanjo · 17/12/2021 09:00

Lack of oestrogen / increase of progesterone.

Sandsnake · 17/12/2021 09:07

Yes, yes, yes. Started after my period returned after DC1 and seems to be getting worse after DC2. I hate it. When my period starts I almost feel like I’m getting rid of poison, I feel that much better. I also get brain fog and I absolutely hate the fact that it makes me a less good version of myself for quite a big chunk of time. I haven’t seen anyone about it (worried about getting a similar reaction to you, I think!) but have bought a PMS vitamin / minerals supplement from Holland & Barrett that I’m going to try this month and have also started Magnesium.

I often ponder what it’s like to be a man and not to have to worry about this stuff! I adored it when I was breastfeeding and had no cycle, despite not having enough sleep I fet better and more energised than I have in years.

SouthOfFrance · 17/12/2021 09:18

Rarely some people can be allergic or hyper senstitive to certain hormones, Google period allergies.

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Sandsnake · 17/12/2021 09:22

I think I might have an element of that South, thanks. I also get hormonal migraines (nightmare) and had a very rare and serious anaphylactic reaction to my milk coming in when I had DS1. Luckily I was still in hospital! Will Google and maybe actually try and do something about it Grin

mizu · 17/12/2021 09:24

Oh gosh yes! When I had periods ( had a full hysterectomy 6 years ago) I felt awful 10-12 days before my period. Achy, heavy, headaches, just generally rough. My sister gets this too, says its feels like she's been hit by a bus some months Sad

chiefcha · 17/12/2021 09:28

Yes!!! Every month, a couple of days before my period I get that exhausted, white blood cell feeling. Over the pandemic it's taken me quite a long time to acknowledge that it's my period coming rather than panicking that I've caught covid.

terrywynne · 17/12/2021 09:29

Yes! I never used to but since having DC I do. About a week before I get what I am convinced in the start of a cold (sore throat, maybe a headache). And then it never turns into a full blown cold.

It is weird and annoying and not something I was aware of as a premenstrual side effect!

terrywynne · 17/12/2021 09:31

I also get way more exhausted. Fewer heavy days than before but I get completely knocked out by them, just want to sleep all day. Before the pain was worse but with painkillers I could manage, now pain is less but harder to get through the day.

SamhainToImbolc · 17/12/2021 09:32

Yes. I used to have hormonal migraines, nausea and vomiting, bloating, breasts so sore that I couldn't bear to take my bra off, allergic reactions to no idea what, and feel feverish often for days before period was due. Menopause isn't much fun either, but it's better than that shit for 2-3 weeks every month.

JuneOsborne · 17/12/2021 09:34

My sister! I'm going to tell her that all you lot do, she'll be relieved to know she not on her own!

Namechange600 · 17/12/2021 09:36

I had this and it was severe endometriosis. The flu feeling was all the inflammation. Could this be a possibility?!

Original poster
APlot · 17/12/2021 09:38

Oh yes, it's so tedious now we have the pandemic. Every month without fail, I forget it's premenstrual and do lateral flow tests Hmm

I'm glad it's not just me! The increased progesterone idea is interesting. I'm actually perimenopausal, and have recently started on HRT, and this is happening at the end of two weeks of taking the progesterone element of HRT.

OP posts:
Ormally · 17/12/2021 09:42

Yes definitely. The symptoms are often bang on the same time, as well - some just before period and then, for me, headache and itchy, sore eye and socket - only on the right - in the week after. Nothing seems to touch it.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 17/12/2021 10:36

When I was mpnitoring using fit bit every single month beforr my period my average resting heart rate noticably slowed by a few bpm. I could see the drop on the tracker.

Increasing salt does raise resting heartrate so I would have a packet of crisps and found I could concentrate better.

Not scientific but that was what I found!

MistySkiesAfterRain · 17/12/2021 10:38

^So I suspect how I felt was due to drop in blood pressure. You can buy a monitor in Boots for £20.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 17/12/2021 10:40

Re fluey feeling the change in hormones lowers the immune system as it has to adjust, I have found eating vegetarian and lower gluten in the couple of days before a period helps avoid that coming down with flu feeling. I got this from the Cycle Diet. Meat is harder for immune system to digest, so eating easier digestible foods helps.

terrywynne · 17/12/2021 11:20

@MistySkiesAfterRain

When I was mpnitoring using fit bit every single month beforr my period my average resting heart rate noticably slowed by a few bpm. I could see the drop on the tracker.

Increasing salt does raise resting heartrate so I would have a packet of crisps and found I could concentrate better.

Not scientific but that was what I found!

I'm the opposite. My heart rate shoots up about a week beforehand and then drops back down just before it starts.
MargaretThursday · 17/12/2021 12:46

Yes, I get that too. Feel nauseous sometimes as well.

AudTheDeepMinded · 17/12/2021 12:51

@MistySkiesAfterRain

^So I suspect how I felt was due to drop in blood pressure. You can buy a monitor in Boots for £20.
I started fainting a few years ago around the time of my period. It was investigated and put down to low blood pressure caused by hormonal changes. I think its oestrogen that's the problem, either too much or too little, can't remember!
HalfWomanHalfMincePie · 17/12/2021 12:57

Yes to the flu feeling a couple of days before my period. I always think I have caught a cold (or covid) only to check the clanedar and realise it's just pre-menstrual.

Yes also the higher heart rate on the run up to a period, dropping during it and hitting a low at the halfway point between periods.

Prettybaublesonmytree · 17/12/2021 13:00

Yes! Reassuring to know it’s not just me. I sleep more, get a sore throat and just feel like I’m running on empty emotionally and physically. I feel like my legs are made of lead, a usual walk leaves me exhausted and I get this sort of “hopelessness” feeling. Horrible really but hormonal contraception makes me a hundred times worse a hundred percent of the month so it’s better than being on those.

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 17/12/2021 13:01

Yes, I always had this in the days when I still had periods. Exactly as you say - like coming down with a virus, even down to the hoarse throat.

Chaotica · 17/12/2021 13:03

Yes. Another one here. Took me a while to work out what it was.

naomi81 · 17/12/2021 13:07

Yes I get this, especially as I am getting older, just had covid booster on the same week 🤪

MrsRussell · 17/12/2021 13:07

When I went for my booster yesterday she asked if I had any health issues or issues with my immune system.
"I'm due on in about a week," I said, and she looked at me for a minute and then wrote it down. She knew what I meant....