Cold symptoms during period

[johart]

I have searched the interenet and can not find any answers to my problem.
I have recurrent cold symptoms during my period. I have noticed the symptoms for about a year but for the last six months they have happened every month around the third day of my period. Symptoms include aching joints, blocked nose and headaches as well as generally feeling awful. Periods are heavy and painful with clotting for about seven-nine days. Cold Symptoms usually last 5-7days. GP tried to treat heavy periods with Tranexamic acid but I reacted with severe mouth ulcers (half tongue size) Again these ulcers would appear around day three. Now resolved by stopping the meds but heavy periods have returned. The symptoms are to regular for coincidence, can anyone help?

[Geejazel]

Omg this happens to me as well !!! Has been happening past 1 almost 2 years idk what to do I'm sitting here in the winter time it's snowed where I live and I'm sneezing up a storm I just recently was able to put 2 and 2 together and say oh I must be getting my period I was told though like some months ago after an MRI I have what they call a begnin cyst on my pituitary gland and I'm curious as to if that may be partly or fully responsible for what I'm feeling I never even thought to ask I'm glad to know I'm not alone because I can't seem to understand it

[Stephmorris]

Did you ever get your prolactin levels check and if so did they show as being high? I only wonder I I think onmaybjavebthis problem but my GP won't do anything as my prolactin levels are ok.

[helloalicat828]

I was having a lot of these same symptoms last year where I thought I was just getting a cold almost every month. I had been on birth control for years and after coming off of it that's when I started noticing the cold-like symptoms (low grade fever, aching, joint pain, bed-ridden fatigue, sneezing). My sister recommended a book called "The Period Repair Manual" and the Dr./author's advice and vitamin suggestions really helped me!! The symptoms really improved after taking magnesium, b6, a probiotic and zinc together. It's so annoying to have to pay for and take all of that every day though. I would highly HIGHLY recommend this book. Good luck ladies!

[Stouffer]

I noticed that every month for the past 6months,i get severe flu like symptoms-cold, stuffy nose, runny nose, productive cough with green sputm, severe sore throat leading to loss of voice, feeling of weakness and left ear infection.I've tried  to get answers from my GP practice with no luck saying its just a viral infection. I've given up on going to ssee the GP but just rest, drinking fluids,tossing and turning in bed evrry one week in a month is all i do. Its debilitating, affected my wirk pattern as am always too ill to go to work. After my menses all these symptoms disappear but i drag evrry PMS coz i'll go through the same severe sumptoms for a wrrk every month. I wish i could find a solution to all this cause its really frustrating. I dont wish upon these PMS to any woman  but unfortunately some of us experience severe symptoms than others.  Any OBGYN or Doctor who can help please@

[Bank0]

I have also noticed similar pattern to those mentioned above. I am getting sick nearly every month now, just before my period arrives. Sometimes it's just a mild cold, and other times I need antibiotics. I'm feeling rather frustrated as these colds are starting to effect my life, as I am having to take time off work or spend weekends in bed resting. I just had a blood test and I was told that I am perfectly healthy. I am thinking of seeing a naturopath, has anyone else had success?

[specialmom]

naturopath is worth a try.  

[Alib123]

I've tried it all: a naturopath, ENT, Allergist, PCP, and now they have me going to Rheumatologist.  Nothing works.  It seems we all get these miserable colds or "sinus funk" but no one has come up with a cure.  it has caused me to miss family events, work etc.  I'm desperate, has anyone tried skipping their period all together to see if they still get sick?  I use the the Nuva ring for birth control so I can chose to simply not have my period if I want.  This way I'll know if the two are related. Please let me know if you've tried this.  

[cherry1254]

I am the same!!! I always get a cold/flu before/during my period! I keep thinking that maybe something is wrong and how I am the only one but when I researched, I found others are the same! I take Zyrtec like nearly every day but that doesnt help.. Dont know what to do???

[Rainmom]

Sorry all I think I may have left my comment in an answer box instead of a comment box.  Please excuse that.  

[Rainmom]

Well now I can't even find my original post?

[Rainmom]

My daughter has had the same symptoms the past 4-5 months.  I am following this thread.  

[Hedwig8]

Girls, I was searching for the same, got similar symptoms. Apparently our immune systems are the weakest during ovulation and the infection catches up by the time our periods start.
Those having muscle aches, drink lots of water; it helps reduce them. :)

[Corinne3]

I don't know if anyone will be able to use this advice, seeing as most of the comments here were posted years ago but I just wanted to share and maybe help someone. I was suffering from the exact same problem- cold symptoms during and even before/after my period. It got to the point where I was so weak and ill that I felt well for about one week each month and was essentially in bed for the duration of my period. After about one year I could not take it anymore. I demanded answers! My doctor (and my mother who is nurse) thought it seemed more like a histamine reaction (allergy) that was occurring when my hormones were kicking up. I began taking an anti-histamine (zyrtec) every day to build the medicine up in my system. By the time my period came, I did not seem to have the same cold symptoms I usually have. So far, the anti-histamine has done more than vitamins, increased exercise, juice cleanses, increased sleep, extra water have done. I will continue to monitor how they work for me but at this time, they seem to work pretty well. I hope this helps someone!

[Byrdsetta]

I have been on a nasal spray for about 2 months I was having this problem I have noticed it the past two years but my husband has noticed it for he says the last five. My periods are very unregulated and I have been to my family doctor but he says I have indoor allergies. The nose spray has worked but this month it changed I am now sick again I take my nasal spray everyday because I was so tired of feeling like crap. I am going to schedule an appointment with my OBGYN because there has to be something that can help us ladies from being sick I stayed sick for 8 months straight because my body didn't want to fight it off. I was calling off work to much and it seemed like as soon as I got better it was right back. So hopefully my OBGYN can help me through this because it is very aggravating to be sick all the time and have to take care of your family. Thanks for sharing what you guys have been going through at least I know I am not the only one out there.

[Geejazel]

Not sure what happened to my post and why it has all those numbers and what not I didn't write those and am new to this site don't know how to delete or edit it so sorry

[tdb2008]

I have the exact same symptoms as you!! Besides from the blood work. I get my normal physical once a year which are all normal. I was on birth control from the age of 14 to the age of 29. Have been off of it for a year and a few months now. Every month right before my period I either get a terrible sinus infection or a bad cold! It's so very frustrating. I was thinking something was terribly wrong with me until I started to read how other women suffer with the same symptoms as I do on a monthly basis around the mentrual time. It really does suck! I'm thinking it's the bodies way of detoxing itself.

[jniffer]

Years ago I noticed that I was getting a cold just about every time I had my period. My doctor referred me to an ENT, who was not surprised, and told me it is a "lining thing." Basically, all of the mucous membranes in the body are swelling and producing extra mucous at the same time. If I remember correctly, I became pregnant shortly thereafter, and we never really resolved the issue. But, I also never had this issue while on the Pill. So, having hormones tested or considering birth control may be something to consider regarding this issue.

[Tied5]

My daughter is 16, she suffers from horrible cold symptoms every month when she gets her period. (fever, headache, coughing) but the bad part is that the cough she gets will not go away until I take her in and get an antibiotic. Ive taken her to the Dr several times, but no real answers or solution to the problem.
What's going on?! This is so frustration. It sounds like people who suffer from this have to become detectives with diet, vitamins, Dr visits, skin products ect until we figure out and narrow down the source of the problem... I don't know what else to do.
I've got her on iron supplements, BC, very little dairy, healthy foods/organic.
She keeps coming to me, her Mom, looking for help and answer's and I feel helpless that I cannot make this all better for her. :(

[roni070270]

it started march of 2014, flu like symptoms before my period. I was told i also I had allergy's. Finally got tested this year and I dont!!! Some months are worse then others. headache,  achy muscles, sinus pain, fatigue, upset stomach, watery eyes, blurred vision and so on..... I have noticed that I can tell how bad its going to get by my eyes. The blurry vision and watering eyes is the first to start. This month I even got a low fever which dosnt normally happen. I also  have only a week or two of feeling somewhat normal. I am going to print this page for my doctor, I believe she thinks Im a hypochondriac. I too thought I was going crazy. Our doctors truly need to find out what is going on and stop throwing antibiotics at us and saying its allergy's !!!!!!  Before this all started I hadn't been sick in years and my husband was the one who noticed that I was always sick and started my period! he said " baby why are you always sick when you start your period"  I said HOLY CRAP YOUR RIGHT

[Cjanek]

I get the exact same flu like symptoms/horiffic sore throat every month, it starts a few days before my period. I was told the only thing the can do is prescribe me the pill but I'm about to get married and start trying for babies so that isn't an option. My periods aren't heavy so after the first day I don't feel too bad, but before the period for anything up to a week I feel awful and am often bedridden for a few days. Have you managed to do anything at all to help your symptoms?

[ElleHealth]

I am 48 years of age and I was diagnosed 15 years ago with Uterine Fibroids (from 2008-2010) those fibroids made me appear to look 20-22 weeks pregnant). My periods started to become bad in my early 30's prior to this diagnosis. In 2010, I had an embolization that shrunk the fibroids by approximately 50 percent. My periods much like most of those being noted caused me headaches, bloating, inflammation and major congestion (including  the cold symptoms, with sneezing, stuffy nose, and congestion in my throat and lungs). Since the procedure I still have all the same symptoms - with fewer headaches and less blood flow than before.

At first physicians would say - it's the fibroids causing the problems. Recently, the new tagline is peri-menapause and now I get it's just menopause.  As an educated person, I turn to research, science and choose teaching hospitals for my information. Not all doctors are interested in their areas and the focus is on treating the symptoms often w/o diagnostics to treat the problem. I am a huge believer that we should be tested for hormones and we should treat the cause or balance those symptoms versus this trial and error method that is being used.

I was happy to read someone was told after a test they had low progesterone and their doctor came up with a local solution for care. We need more of that. It's amazing that people have to suffer for years even though we have answers right here in the US that could make our lives better.

[ElleHealth]

Dairy does cause congestion and inflammation and regular milk may contain hormones (versus organic). I have been told mainly to avoid milk and cream. However, milk is one of the few sources where we can also avoid osteoporosis.

[Shellstar86]

I am so glad for this site. Thank you everyone.

I woke up early on Monday morning with a cold and it lingered but not enough to take time off work. I hardly had a sore throat but then I realised I was losing my voice. Without my voice I cannot work. I also felt very weak. I also had a bit of diarrhoea.

This doesn't happen for every period, however I've seen it more regularly as I've got older

I now understand that I am not crazy and it's not only happening to me!

I started to research maybe it was my immune system, then I rang a doctors and EVERY lady doctor was busy for the whole weekend!

I am 29 years old and we are thinking of starting a family soon and I thought I would need to be fully healthy and well before we start trying.

thanks again for sharing your story.

[Fungeesue]

Hi, I've also been getting cold like symptoms before menstrating. It's been a nightmare. I've done a bit a research and it's the progesterone that can dilate the upper airway and other areas in the body, causing several problems. It's a nightmare but I would suggest taking ibuprofen 3 times a day. Another medication I'm about to try is vitamin B6 which can help fluid retention (breast tenderness), mood changes and fatigue. Hope this helps. Susie

[JuliaEW]

Take a look at this post that discusses how increases in estrogen--like during ovulation--suppresses women's immune systems specifically something called Th17:  http://www.livescience.com/36067-women-prone-infections-ovulating.html
The rationale is that it makes women's bodies more accepting of foreign sperm to allow the sperm a better chance to fertilize an egg. They also think that the rise in progesterone after ovulation may stimulate the immune system.
Apparent moral of the story, track your cycle and boost your immune system prior to ovulating!

Hope this helps explain the issue better.

[Kit50]

I have cold symptoms just before my period starts. I'm 50 years old. At the beginning of last year I learned I have GERD and IBS so I went on a strict diet no wheat dairy or sugar. I started getting my period every 4 months. Then in October I went back home to England to visit family and friends. My diet went out the window. I put on 8 pounds was 119. I got two periods in 2 months. With cold symptoms. when I was in England I was eating anything and was feeling fine so I cintinued not on purpose just couldn't stop really. The sugar cravings were the worst. Chocolate especially. But I really believe it's the dairy that affects the menstral cycle. Because on tv everyone now talking about fat is good for you and we should eat more fat and no sugar. So I went with it. I get soo fed up with my boring diet sometimes I get carried up with the new diet fad and I forget yeh that's ok for a normal person but I have GERD and IBS so it's not for me. So now I get it and I'm back on MY diet what works for me. I believe diet is the key to our health issues as in the food we eat. And pills are not the answer. You have to find the food that works for you. Make a food diary. Go through a food elimination process. Eat healthy foods make a note how you feel after you've eaten something that doesn't quite feel right so you can look back and go oh yeah it did that last time. Good luck

[girl39]

On Monday I came up with a sore throat and tuessday progressed to a severe cold that was more like the flu, so i decided to take the whole week sick, i was really tired and had chills and a fever. my  friends told me it's better if i take some rest to ease my bad cold, Some thought that i was so bad, that i needed someone to drive my car home. Wednesday evening i found out my symptoms had disappeared to find out i was menstruating...i  was surprised because usually a 'true' cold/flu would last about 2 weeks , so i though this is something that has to do with hormones and menstrual cycle? Reading posts here i am thinking i'm not the only one with this problem. Prior to this month i had a 15 day cycle which i spoke to my ob/gyn who said it might be that i'm entering menopause that's why i am having this cycle havoc. could this be possible? thanks in advance for any feedback. i'm a 39 yr old woman so no surprise here.

[Sophie234x]

I am pleased to have found this forum having searched the Internet 10 years ago and found nothing!

I am 53, living in the UK, and have suffered from cold/flu symptoms during 'some' of my periods for over 15 years, more often or not in the winter months. I too like many of you on this forum went to my doctor who didn't have a clue who I felt didn't quite believe me.

Anyway, for the last 8-9 years I've been wearing an IUS (intra-uterine system) called Mirena, which I use as a contraceptive but it also stops/lessens my periods as a bonus. Since then I havent been getting the cold/flu symtoms so frequently however, I've got a cold now (as well as the signs of a period) which has prompted me to search the Internet again!!

I really do hope a medical researcher will investigate this one day (If I was younger I would go back to school myself!) because I believe this is more common than we think. I too suspect it's got something to do with the weakening of the immune system just before the onset of menstruation which allows cold viruses to attack.

Thanks for listening.

[Pant03]

I'm a 56 year old post menopausal woman taking topical hormone replacement . My problem is every time I get a spray tan, I start bleeding the next day. First I thought this was just a coincidence but now I think it's some chemical causing the problem. I checked with the salon about the ingredients but nothing seems to be of a estrogen base ...??? Any thoughts

[pocco]

hi,I am also suffering from theses same symptoms very difficult to work sometimes so full up of flu like symptoms every month I will also try the reccomendations all listed..
Thanks.donna

[DaHaney]

I'm 32 and I have suffered with cold/allergy symptoms every month right before my period starts for about five years now. It's consistent and after reading the comments I feel like my concern is legitimate. My PCP told me to change my diet and recommended 1000 mg Vitamin C and a probiotic daily. My OBGYN told me that it's common and normal for women my age to experience a shift in hormones thus causing everything else to occur. I haven't had an allergy test to determine if anything in my diet is causing it. I guess my next step is to do that and try the Chastenberry extract. This type of problem does interfere with daily activities and life, yet my male doctors act like it's just nothing really to be concerned about.  

[littleyellow]

Wow, amazed at these posts. I just went to the doctor this week to complain about similar symptoms before my period (flu-like weakness, sore throat, wobbly joints) and I left the office in tears, literally, because I was basically told it was all in my head because these PMS symptoms were not scientifically proven.  Well, when there is so little money being put into research in women's health, that's not surprising?!

I am so grateful for this validation, you all have no idea. I have also read that it could be a drop in progesterone before my period, so I want to look into that. But I don't know how considering that my doctor isn't being supportive. Guess I need to start a whole new doctor. Sigh. So sick of this lack of integrated medicine and cold, robotic, uncaring physicians.