|  | Family Health | Womens Health

Cold & Flu Like Symptoms Before a Period

Most women are familiar with the symptoms of PMS, or premenstrual syndrome. These can range from bloating and weight gain to mood swings and irritability. One less common ailment are cold & flu like symptoms before a period.

  1. Identification

    • It is important to identify the differences between cold & flu like symptoms before a period and actually coming down with a cold or the flu. Period-induced symptoms of cold & flu will accompany your menstrual cycle, or start to affect you 3 to 5 days before your expected period. The symptoms can be relieved somewhat by taking an over-the-counter PMS medication. A typical cold or flu may or may not happen around your period, and will not be affected by premenstrual syndrome medications.

    Time Frame

    • Cold & flu like symptoms before a period can last for the entirety of your period. This can make your menstrual cycle especially miserable.

    Considerations

    • If you feel that your cold and flu symptoms are a result of an upcoming period, try to take it easy and rest. Treat yourself as if you really had a full-blown cold or flu by eating chicken noodle soup, drinking plenty of water and orange juice, and getting plenty of rest.

    Expert Insight

    • Sometimes your body forces you to rest. Feeling under the weather before a period may be your body trying to tell you to slow down and rest. Listen to your body and treat it gently during these times.

    Warning

    • If you have a fever that is over 102 degrees F, or one that lasts more than 2 days, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor.

Womens Health - Related Articles