Why do I with my montly cycle get a bad sinus cold/infection?

[capwap]

I have for the last 8 months that I have been tracking get a sinus infection/cold with my monthly menstrual cycle. My cycle is very regular and only lasts about 5 days. About 2-3 days before the flow starts I get headaches, fevers, shakes, coughing, post nasal drip and just plain dizzy. The worst of the sinus infection hits the day the flood gates open. Each month it is basically the same symptoms but this month they are more severe. I have on several occasions asked my doctor why this keeps happening. He says there is no way there is any relationship between the sinus infection and the cycle. This time, I am running fevers, have a cough, a severe sore throat and have totally lost my voice. I don't have a ton congestion, just enough to know it is there. My neck on the right side in hurting and my body aches, I am now 3 days into my cycle and have been this way since day 1. I went to see my internal medicine doctor today and he still believes there is no connection.  He did find that my Vitamin B levels are low and says that sometimes during a menstrual cycle womens' immune systems can be reduced slightly. He thinks that because of the low Vitamin B level that maybe the reduction with immune system might be just enough to make me more prone to minor infections like this. He gave me a nasal spray to help the inflammation in my nasal passages and wants me to try this spray consistently for two cycles to see if that helps. Is there anyone else out there having these same issues? Can you please share with me what is helping you with this? I am at my wits end and am sick of being sick every month. Right now I feel like I am on this path all by myself and that my doctor thinks this is all in my head. Please help!!!

[Soully]

Looked this up band xame across this thread because my sinuses literally go crazy before my period. That's part of how I know they're coming soon. This month the drip is actually driving my crazy but because I don't have actual signs of an infection like thick yellow mucous/phlegm there's no point going on antibiotics.

[Soully]

And came across*

[yogaqueen5]

I get them also but then I have what is called SLE.. Systemic Lupus Erythromatosus {Auto Immune Defincincy} however I have worked on getting my vitamins boosted but I take so much as it is. I use alot of Essential Oils and they help with a lot of things I am going to see if they help with the sinus infections. I feel bad because my sinuses stink... I am ashamed. My thought it was my teeth though I was brushing 3 times a day and using mouth wash everytime, I even went to the dentist and he detected it... It wasn't my mouth at all. So around that time I don;t schedule any apptointments with people because Iam embarrassed and ashamed... I just don;t know what to do . It is debilitating in alot of ways. :(

[Longhealthylife]

Hi ladies, just wondering how you're getting on? Laid here with an ear infection. Period finished yesterday with severe neck ache. Though things have got better over the last few months. I'm no longer getting the serve uterus cramps and the bleeding is less. I've switched to a raw vegan diet and distilled water.
Through my research, vaccinations and birth control have caused many problems, as some are designed to make us infertile. We also have too many heavy metals in our systems, which means when our female bodies go to detox at our monthly, it got a lot of crap to get rid off and that's why we have so many serve side effects.
Enzymes, probiotics and green juices are helping. Another issues is parasites. Yes, 97% of humans have parasites and their waste is toxifying our bodies and causing infections and autoimmune diseases, so a 3 month parasite cleanse will help, and then a yearly one after that. In the green juice, the lemon, ginger and paprika (chillies) keep the parasites away.
Green juice: Kale, coriander, spinach, lemon, ginger, paprika, turmeric, cucumber, courgette.
I'm drinking this every morning and I am noticing a difference. I think in 6 months I will be clear. I'll be adding more quality enzymes and probiotics to my diet.
More heavy metal detoxing too by using zeolite and activated charcoal.
Love and peace.

[Tampagirl23]

Wow!  For the past 3 years I've had reoccurring asthma flare ups and have been diagnosed with chronic sinitis.  I was sent to an ENT, where they tried the balloon sinus procedure and then finally sinus surgery when that didn't help.  I've had CT scan of my lungs and sinuses several times and they have come back great since my surgery.  However, I still have had flare up after flare up month after month and have pretty much lived on Prednisone and antibiotics for the past 3 years.  I've been working closely with my Primary Doctor, who's an DO and also my Pulmonologist.  They have narrowed out that I do not have an autoimmune disease or any allergies.  We are currently filling out paperwork to be seen at The National Jewish Respiratory Hospital out in Denver because my husband and I are so fed up with me being sick, being hospitalized twice this year alone and not finding answers to any of our questions.  Then today, after starting my period,  I realized that I often flare up right around this time each and every month.  That is when I Googled it and found this link.  I had the Mirena in from 2008-2013 and never had any of these problems because with the Mirena, you stop ovulating and eventually stop getting your period each month.  Then, due to some anxiety my OBGYN suggested I take out the Mirena (due to hormones that could cause my anxiety to worsen) and switch it out with the Paraguard (non hormonal IUD). Thinking back on it now, it seems like ever since I started getting my period again, I've had these reoccurring respiratory issues.  I'm definitely going to talk to my OBGYN about it and switch back to the Mirena to see it that helps clear things up.  So happy I found this link!!!!

[chuckles513]

I can tell you that I suffered the same thing for several months. When I finally went to the doctor about it, my B6 & B12 was deficient. So, I'm gonna say that's the cause!

[MyHeadHurtsBad]

I too, feel relief to know I'm not the only "crazy." I always say I am thankful I work from home because I could never hold a 9-5 - I'd be fired for missing too many days.  I've been tracking my cycle and always a couple days before my period I have increased sinus pressure, headaches, facial pain, nasal discharge.  I hate it.  I'm always so happy when I feel well.  I strive to get a workout in, do some cleaning,  etc. I know when these symptoms strike I am good for nothing!  I've seen allergists, taken every antibiotic, nothing ever really helps.  I don't know if it will ever subside.  I just need to really cherish every day I get that i do feel well and make sure I get extra work done those days to make up the days of my life lost. Right now I'm off to take a steam shower to hopefully help some of this pressure.  Good luck to you all and hopefully someone can pinpoint a remedy to help us all.  

[AoifeO]

I too get these symptoms every period, a cold and sinus infection. It sounds realistic that it's a lowering of my immune system. I'll try echinacea & Vit b sups a week before and see if that helps.

[Roner03]

My ent told me that being on your monthly can effect your sinuses.  That it is hormonal.  I believe him because I am on my monthly now and my sinuses are bad not to mention the pollen. So all this together is well all the women suffering know!

[angelize40]

i do the same thing, about 3 years ago right before my period i would get sinus infection symptoms and every month since then i have to go to the dr's and go on an antibiotic, im so tired of having to go to the dr's im thinking it has something to do with perimenopause im 45 and when i looked up symptoms of perimenopause i already have most of them, so wondering if the hormones or the lower estrogen has anything to do with it.

[Healing2016]

I am experiencing these same symptoms every month just before my period.  I get horrible pain in my sinuses. Sneezing, nasal drainage and soar throat. I had a pituitary adenectomy in 2006 and haven't been the same since..Please let me know of anything that can help .

[Healing2016]

Please let me know what gave you relief, I'm suffering from the same thing every month. Something has to be done.

[winks222]

Hi, like you I have the same problem and it was such a relief to read your post. I have suffered from sinus infections for years but only when I'm in my monthly cycle. I know that these symptoms are connected.I have been trying herbal remedies.

[ALIGOODIE]

iam really pleased i stumbled upon this site , I seriously thought i was going mad linking my period with my sinus problems, mine start the day before/day of my period, my husband even knows that im about to start my monthly and my eyes are swollen nose is dripping headache sore throat jaw ache, im active , eat well, take supplements....any more help is much appreciated. Every month is the same and it gets me down  

[Aussiegirl67]

I have also noticed the last six months or so to experience extreme sinus pain just before my period as well as a sore throat. This last month the pain has continued post period. I am in the peri menopausal stage and finding the pain excruciating. I am currently on 3rd lot of antibiotics but sinus pain is still severe.

[Umaritimus]

I have THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I think mine is a combination of sinusitis and migraines prior to and during menses. I have been being treated for solely hormonal migraines for the past 9 years, with preventative and acute pain meds, but I didn't know until the past month when I went to an allergist that sinus problems can occur simultaneously with menstruation, enough to be very disruptive to everyday life. So I'm thinking a lot of my "migraine" problems maybe could've been treated as sinus issues? I think if my sinus headaches are bad enough and left alone without being treated, they develop into migraines, but I am very interested in what other patients and professionals have to say about their experiences with this menstrual sinus phenomenon. I am currently experimenting with many different kinds of bc pills to try to relieve my hormonal migraines, if that's what they are. The pills with estrogen make my head much worse, and the progesterone-only pills are a bit better but seemed to give me more sinus issues. I would like to have the IUD and hope to get some relief with that.

[WorstMonthlies]

I have this issue too. My solution was to swap to a birth control that halts your periods altogether, and it's glorious not having them. Maybe twice a year now, I will get spot bleeding, and I will get sinus issues corresponding with the spot bleeds. But my life is a thousand percent better without periods that seem to trigger sinus issues and constant sneezing. It's called Amethyst, if you want to do some research on it. Each pack comes with 28 pills, no placebos. My insurance doesn't cover it because I have an old pre-Obama care BC/BS plan, but the plan saves me money in other ways to make up for it. So I do have to spend 51 dollars for 28 pills every 28 days. BUT, if you are on a plan from the Affordable Care Act exchange, those plans HAVE to cover birth control, so it might be affordable for you. I hope you feel better soon.

[SnifflyGirl]

Well it's been almost two months now since I posted last. Looking back at my old time cards I see that these symptoms did in fact happen the same time each month - me missing the same day/s of work due to these symptoms which totally zonk me out.  I can't think, fuzzy-headedness, I just want to sleep, etc.
After starting the thyroid med and increasing my Vitamin B intake as was suggested by someone above I was elated that I wasn't symptomatic in March.  Unfortunately the symptoms are back with a vengeance now though.  I started getting symptomatic at the end of last week and have been totally down since Sunday. I've seen my chiropractor twice because sometimes if he can get my neck to move enough it will alleviate some of the fuzzy-headedness.  I felt somewhat better last night but am back to being totally fuzzy-headed and drowsy today.  I am at my wits end and so totally frustrated.  Luckily my boss is being fairly understanding but I am up for a promotion and if I can't figure this out that will be out the window - and maybe my job entirely.  Somebody please help!!   :-(

[keh1016]

Sometimes doctors don't have all the answers. This happens with me too. The sinus congested paint effects my ears, head, the whole right side of my face head-jaw,  sometimes just a stiff jaw, the tissue right behind my tooth, not the actual tooth or gum. Its very agitating, irritating. The only thing I see relating is right before my cycle, I get creamy dairy and chocolate cravings. So I have a lot of milk, chocolate. I know as soon as I have a lot of Milk, it  aggravates my sinuses for about a few days-week. Then, I notice my sinuses and period act up about the same time. I had to skip the first day of school because stomach, head and sinus pain was so bad I had to stay home. Then during-after my cycle, I don't eat anything, have dairy intake and when my period is pretty much over, so is my sinuses. Its a mystery to me but I think based on personal eating habits, they can relate to each other.

[Goldeeloqs]

Like all of you ladies before....I too am SOOOO relieved to know that I am not alone.  This has been a rather new occurance for me....it started about 6 months ago.  its always the 1st or 2nd day of my period, I start to get a stiff neck and sore low back...my throat starts to get sore, my sinuses swell and get stuffy....I fever and chill.....my WHOLE body just hurts...my skin feels tender...my joints hurt, headache....it is HORRIBLE....It has lasted anywhere from 2 days to 4....It is rediculous....  I do my best to be healthy too.  I eat vegitarian and vegan...I work out 5-6 days a week, I am sure to supplement with any vitamins/minerals I may need....I get my blood tested for deficiencies once per year.    My doctors look at me like I am crazy too....Like other of you have said....it is very emotionally stressful.  I dont have the time to be sick like this...It is just too much!!  I only hope that more come forward and say something and post something and keep bugging our doctors so that maybe SOMEONE will do some reasearch .....Lots of hugs to you all....I hope that you each find a way to make it better so that this horrible weight can be lifted from your bodies/minds/hearts.

[SnifflyGirl]

I too find it comforting to finally find a board with others who are experiencing this.  I have had these symptoms since I was in junior high...seen every doctor imaginable...had allergy testing three times...been on every kind of antibiotic, nose spray and vitamin you can think of and still can't kick it.  I've finally convinced my doctor that it seems tied into when my periods used to be when I had them (endometrial ablation).  He doesn't believe there's a correlation between my cycle and the sinus infection/flu-like symptoms but I'm going to send him this page so he can see it's not just me and maybe he will look further.
One thing we've just started to try is that he had me take my basal temp every morning for a month. My temp is very low so even though the blood work doesn't support that there's anything wrong with my thyroid, he's put me on a low dose thyroid med to try for a month and see if it helps with the symptoms at all.
I have lost jobs over the years because of this and I fully understand what you all are referring to when you talk about it being stressful mentally and emotionally.  It's horrible being sick so regularly and not have an answer and a fix for it.
I will be watching for other updates and information and will provide the same as I get it.

[Lizanna1969]

Every time I get my period I get a sinus infection. No Dr. Understands so I go on a antibiotic and then am told about antibiotic resistance ugh. I feel all symptoms of a sinus infection and it's horrible. I'm in perimenopause now so I don't know when my period is coming. Mine seemed to correlate when I started having adult onset allergies???? I think I get swollen, my immune system breaks down and I'm hit with a infection. It is so frustrating and makes it difficult to function the days I get sick. Not enough research is done for pms, ppmd, health related issues arount a woman's periods so I can only hope some Dr. With similar experiences will figure it out for future generations.

[Lizanna1969]

Every time I get my period I get a sinus infection. No Dr. Understands so I go on a antibiotic and then am told about antibiotic resistance ugh. I feel all symptoms of a sinus infection and it's horrible. I'm in perimenopause now so I don't know when my period is coming. Mine seemed to correlate when I started having adult onset allergies???? I think I get swollen, my immune system breaks down and I'm hit with a infection. It is so frustrating and makes it difficult to function the days I get sick. Not enough research is done for pms, ppmd, health related issues arount a woman's periods so I can only hope some Dr. With similar experiences will figure it out for future generations.

[SueBrown2]

OMG I am crying typing this I am so relieved to have found others that suffer the same (thought I was going mad). I live in Scotland and have suffered chronic sinusitus now for 15 years. I have had three operations (to remove polyps and sort drainage) I am still under hospital treatment and only recently went to a herbalist who suggested it tied into my periods. I am on herbs and immunity tablets from herbalist and steroid drops daily plus neilmed saline rinse from the hospital consultant. I only started the herbalist recently and my first sinus infection since seeing her started two days ago. Whole left side of my face swollen ear eye face pain, yellow discharge, thumping headache...and surprise surprise woke up this morning with my period! (Reason I have never tied it in before was I was on a pill which meant I never had  a period at all, just recently stopped that pill) . Where do we go from here though? I am going to tell my consultant at my next visit in December. I am now close to the menopause I wonder if symptoms may disappear then?? My heart goes out to all off you suffering the same it is really effecting my work and my life. I hope we all get help to fix this .

[UnaCan]

Hi Amarena and others
From my own experience, I find that doctors know only what has been tested and proved. Considering that all diseases affect people differently and how we are all different in many ways, I don't think it is possible for them to know everything. Thus, I guess we rely on this kind of forum to get information from each other to get help.
In my experience, I do definitely see the relation between my period and sinus infection. I think that the lowered immunity during the period is causing the sinus to flare up as the sinus flares up every time I am sick with other problems too along with infection.
I have been put on 8 different vitamins to boost the immune system but it is tough fight once you lose the basic health. My naturopath doctor says it takes a long time to build it back up and it is a battle as we age as well.
So, there are others who suffers the same problem if that helps you emotionally. My mental health is taking a toll during my sinus flare up due to the severe headaches, eye sight issues, and frequent infections which causes me to be isolated at home as well.
For now, I use sinus rinse, Nasonex and tylenol. I do have a polyp but my doc won't remove it. I live in Canada and unless symptoms are really bad they don't fix it. If removing it would help, I would even travel to another country to do it.
I will post anything I find helpful here once I figure others out.

[Amarena]

I have been experiencing the same problem for quite some time too! I appreciate your sharing the information you had found in the past, but do you have any updates now? I already take immune boosters and additional supplements around my period as I know my immune system is weakened (I take a vitamin B rich women's daily multivitamin regularly and add iron and echinacea + elderberry syrup (immune) supplements a few days prior to my cycle. However, even this hasn't seemed to help/stop the problem!

I was told a while back that I had severe polyps in my sinuses and some diseased tissue even. I've always chalked it up to that, but for the past 8 months that I've been otherwise healthy I've noticed this issue. I can't help but wonder if the hormones impact the polyps given that hormonal steroids help lessen the issues related to my sinuses...