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?

[tmv]

I don't have answers for you, just a thought. When I get sick, it's usually in the middle of my period. Although I haven't researched it, I believe that my immune system is lower at that time. Probably totally normal, but weird. Hope you get the answers that you were looking for.

[torque]

I posted something similar about a month ago. Right before my period starts I start getting sinus problems. I get the sinus headaches, ears bug me, nasal drip, blah feeling etc. I started tracking all of my alments(sp?) and diet, along with weight and any other issues about 4months ago, and I get this every cycle. I am not sure why, but I get it too. I have a doc appt tomm and plan on asking her. So you are not alone!!

[johart]

Good to know I'm not the only one, but sorry you too feel rough. Let me know what your doc thinks...

[hopekate]

I found a site for you about Hormones and Sinus problems.
http://www.floridaallergysociety.com/pis-sinusitis.php

I have had 8-9 day periods since my 20's with HUGE painfull clots and heavy bleeding. I was so worn out and tired all the time.

OB/GYN tested thyroid, iron, ultrasounds, you name it..all normal. He said that my body has to work very hard to replace the blood lost, which leaves me tired.

Two weeks ago I had balloon thermal abaltion. I already feel better, which is something unexpected so soon! My family said it was like having the old me back.

Good luck

[Raerey]

Did the thermal ablation work? This has been recommended to me as the next thing to try. TIA

[collegebug1313]

I am so glad I am not the only one for the last 8 months or so i get these awful flu/cold symptoms right about when i get my period or exactly one week before, I thought it was due to taking poor care of myself because I am a college student so I am always working and studying long hours and staying up all night writing term papers but it has only started this year
its truly miserable my symptoms normally consist of

- sore throat, nasal discharge, sinus headaches, trouble breathing, and congestion

if anyone has any suggestions that would be unbelievably helpful

[odnme]

Im so glad I found this site.  I have the same symptoms like most of you women who posted here.  A day or two prior to my period, my sinus or allergies gets really bad, runny nose, sneezing, headaches.  I told my Dr. about it, but she did not offer a solution.  Please help...

[blondie42]

After going to see a doctor this afternoon i came home to see if i cud find anyone suffering the same symptons as me n was surprised but glad that im not alone as even the doctor said he'd never heard anything like it before. Ive been having cold like symptoms for a year now which occur a few days before my period n then dissapear suddenly after 24 hours, i have been given antihistemine to take for 30 days with a follow up appointment when these are finished, hope this helps any of you wondering what to do, ill let you all know how i get on with these although i would of rather taken something short term probably just before the symptoms start for a few days than take something on-going?

[lizzy100]

o my gosh im exactly the same, well its not bad cold symptoms, but i always get a cough and funny nose and stuff every time i have my period. i dont know why but im always like it.

[mdoggg]

So this happens to lots of us...but whAt can we do?

[mint826]

Hey Everyone! I'm a member of the club too! I've had this symptom off and on since I started my periods at 13 (I'm 29 now!) It doesn't happen with every period but fairly regularly.  I just generally feel like I have a cold too, sneezing, runny nose and mild head aches.  Normally lasts a couple of days and just annoying! This is the first time I look for information on the internet though.  I had considered the low immunity theory too but really interested to find out what the reason is!

[wellwoman]

Wow..I started to think that there was something really wrong with me.  I get the worse cold symptoms the day before my cycle starts.  Most recently it almost felt like an allergic reaction.

[Sassy2930]

Wish that we could actually find out why this occurs.  I have for the last year I have acquired a bad cough during my monthly.  The last two periods though have been really rough and I just clued in that on the 2nd when I got my last one I got cough, fever, sore muscles and now on the 28th I have come down with the same thing.  I am sitting here thinking that I might have swine flu but realized I felt this same way at the beginning of the month.  This however is interfering with my work because I can't go in feeling the way I do.  Honestly if doctors are clueless as to why this occurs what chance do we have of finding out the reason and possibly a cure. I must say though I didn't have these issues until my tubes were tied.

[maha99]

I have the same problem, one week before my period, I have cold symptoms runny nose, soar throat, headache, stuffy nose...... and my doctor cannot find a cause.... I raelly need to get it together I just started the job and can't afford to be like this... does any one have any natural therapy maybe, since sinus medication really did not help me .....

[NoraF1971]

I have been having the same issue.  In the last 6 months I have had 3 colds and they all have been during or shortly after my period.  Its a pain.  I eat 3-4 servings of fruits and veggies a day, antibacterialize the heck out of my skin, and take multi vitamin every day with the same result.

[tia33]

I have had the same problem for years! And I take really good care of myself, I eat healthy, take vitamins, workout regularly, nothing helps. I now have a little one, which makes it harder to feel this way and take care of him. The only thing that helped me was to be on birth control, it relieved me of the sore throat, and all that cold/flu like crap, it even really lightened my flow, but I hate being on it so I haven't gone back to it just yet. Thought I'm thinking about it, I can't afford to feel this crappy every month for a week or more at a time.

[Kim226]

WOW- glad I'm not alone. I get sinus infection-like symptoms for the week leading up to my period and it subsides after I get my period.  I looked at the hormone site posted above and hypothyroidism would make sense as the culprit but I've always tested within the normal range for thyroid. It is prevalent in my family however so maybe I should test more regularly or at certain times of my cycle?

[jacksmum]

Oh my goodness thank you for mentioning the birth control as a possible solution. Going to call my doctor tomorrow. Im a single Mum and 48 and so fed up with the flu like symptoms - sitting here now blowing my nose, feeling exhausted, and then it just goes away after a couple of days - utterly bizarre but affecting work. Thanks so much tia33.

[ZhenNi]

I just saw my OBGYN about this and he explained that hormone imbalances can mimic cold/flu symptoms. In fact, he said it was possible that I had PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), which commonly produces cold/flu like symptoms before and/or during menstruation. The only real treatment for PMDD or hormone imbalances is hormone control, usually in the form of birth control (like tia33 mentioned in her post). If you are experiencing cold/flu like symptoms before/during your period get to your Gynaecologist! They specialize in stuff like this! Tell them your symptoms, ask them about PMDD and possible treatments. Don't put up with this! As working women, mom's, wives, students, etc., we've got way too much on our plate to have to add this too the our lists.

[FindACure749]

Wow, so I'm not crazy! When I told my doctor about this she said she had never heard of the two (period & cold) having anything to do with each other-then she basically made me feel like I was imagining it! She was like well maybe you just pay attention to it around your period time. The only difference I see in mine and what everyone has posted is that many times mine rarely goes away without antibiotics, but this could be b/c 9 times out of 10 when I have a cold it turns into a sinus infection. I liked the post with the website about the hormones, I'll have to ask my doctor about that.

[lestatv6]

Hello

Im glad i found this site. I also for the last two months have gotten a cold 1 day before my period. i am 40 and this has never happened before now. i also thought that it could be the swine flu, but I see that Im not the only one with this problem. everything else is normal, but now I feel crappy with stuffy nose, sore throat and I feel very run down and achy. God, I hope this is not going to be a normal occurance!

[kitkatpaddywak]

It's only just occured to me that my colds might be related to my cycle!  For the last three months I've had what I thought were flu, but after my period started yesterday at 6.15pm and by 7pm I wasn't blowing my nose quite so much and felt much more positive, I must say...it seems too much of a coincidence to be anything else!  I've been taking time off work with these illnesses and being a teacher, I can't afford to do that on a regular basis.  I'm going to get a copy of my sick leave absences from work and see how far the pattern might go back, then, I'll print off this message board and march to the doctors!
I have had an overactive thyroid, the symptoms of that, might have messed up my perception of this cyclic illness, but I expect the doctors to take us seriously.  I mean, most of you sound just like me and I know I'm struggling to remain positive in my mind when I'm ill and if we're not taken seriously, then couldn't we potentially be more of a problem to doctors in the future?  I don't think we should put up with being ill for a third of the year... feel the power ladies!!  :)

If anyone else manages to get some answers, can you post them?  I'd be intrigued and relieved to hear from anyone who suffers as this week I was sent home twice from work after struggling to cope got too much.

[alma619]

I thought I was crazy my whole family thought i was not this has been going on for almost 12 yrs with me i get really sick starts with a headache than a sinus infection stuffy nose, runny nose and it gets like that a week before my period. thats how i know im going to start getting it. i get better when my period comes. but im glad im not the only one i wrote dr. oz see if he answers it. but i guess to even get it on tv or something alot of us have to write to him if he sees alot of questions. i have gone to so many doctors and no one has been able to tell me exactly why or give me medicine i have tried diets drinking alot of liquids taking my vitamins. would love to find out more

[sas2]

For the past year I have been suffering with flu like symptoms right before my period. Congestion, drip causing a sore throat, aches and fatigue. This lasts about 24 hours and then I get my period w/in a few days. I am happy to hear that healthy women suffer w/ this because I have Wegener's Granulomatosis and I was scared they were related.  

[tyantiff]

I have the excact same thing. Cold/Sinus problems a day or two before I start my period every month. I am fed up with it... Glad to know I am not the only one. Any one found any solutions yet besides birth control, and I have been on it an it hasnt helped...