Women dread their period for several reasons. They must deal with everything that comes with this time of the month. What many women don't prepare for is the nausea they may experience prior to their period arriving. This nausea is common in women who struggle with premenstrual syndrome. Hormonal changes in the body trigger prostaglandins, which may cause nausea; other medical conditions can also cause the symptom.
Premenstrual Syndrome
Women who struggle with nausea as part of their PMS often refer to it as period flu. They may begin experiencing it before their period starts and continue through the start of their period. What are some period nausea reasons?
Researchers believe PMS results from fluctuating hormone levels throughout a woman's menstrual cycle. Estrogen, the hormone responsible for triggering ovulation, and progesterone are the two hormones that may play a role in the nausea. However, these hormones are essential because they prepare a woman's uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg.
If this fertilization doesn't occur, the endometrium, or lining of her uterus, begins to break down. As it breaks down, it releases prostaglandins or inflammatory compounds. Prostaglandins contract the uterus to help it shed the endometrial lining. This lining makes up a woman's menstrual cycle. The contractions help remove the lining and are what lead to dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps).
As the woman's prostaglandin levels rise, other parts of the body may also be infected. She may begin experiencing mood swings and become depressed or anxious. Insomnia is common, and the woman may lose interest in sexual activities. The symptoms vary for each woman, so a lady should not assume she is not suffering from PMS if she does not have all of these symptoms. The prostaglandins can also bring on nausea. They do so by activating the brainstem. The brainstem is responsible for regulating nausea and vomiting.
Birth Control
Women who take birth control may find that they spot or bleed between their periods. Medical professionals refer to this as breakthrough bleeding, and it is more common when a woman switches to a new birth control. It may take her body a few months to adjust to the new medication. During the adjustment period, the uterus may become inflamed, leading to the release of prostaglandins and the accompanying nausea.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a medical condition in which endometrial tissue grows in the muscular wall of the uterus. When it does, the uterus increases in size, leading to heavy bleeding and pain. The woman may struggle with nausea, and she may find she has cramping or pain during sex. Women often say they feel bloated, heavy, or full when they have this medical condition.
Uterine Fibroids
Women who have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids often experience nausea throughout their menstrual cycle. These growths are found in either her endometrium or uterus. The fibroids may be small or as large as a football. Certain types of fibroids are more likely to induce vomiting in a woman, such as intramural fibroids. They alter the woman's menstrual cycle and cause her to bleed more heavily.
Endometriosis
Women who suffer from endometriosis often experience nausea, cramping, and constipation. They may bleed heavily during their period or experience pain when engaging in sexual intercourse. Some women even find they have pain when they urinate or have a bowel movement. This chronic condition leads to tissue growing outside the uterus. It may impact the woman's fallopian tubes, the ovaries, or make its way into nearby organs.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
If a woman allows a sexually transmitted infection to go untreated, she may develop pelvic inflammatory disease. This infection can impact her entire reproductive system and bring about pain, vaginal discharge, and fever. The woman may experience discomfort when she urinates or engages in sexual intercourse. Women often experience vomiting and nausea with this condition.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Some women have cysts on their ovaries, resulting in a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome. These cysts alter the balance of hormones within her body, leading her to have nausea, excessive facial or body hair, and weight gain. Acne, male pattern baldness, and insomnia are also seen with this condition. The altered hormone balance may lead her to become nauseous and experience stomach pain and vomiting.
Morning Sickness
Countless women have morning sickness in the first few months of pregnancy. As with PMS, early pregnancy can make their breasts tender and leave them feeling fatigued and nauseous. However, morning sickness typically resolves around six weeks after conception. This distinguishes it from the nausea that is seen with PMS, so if a woman is unsure what she is dealing with, she should take a pregnancy test.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Many women don't realize that gastrointestinal conditions can mimic the nausea seen with their periods. Irritable bowel syndrome, for example, can cause nausea and vomiting along with other symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Women who have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome may find that their symptoms worsen when their period is about to arrive.
Women can take several steps to address the nausea they experience during PMS or their periods. The first thing they need to do is determine what sets off this nausea so they can avoid these triggers. Remaining hydrated while following a bland diet can help with the nausea, and women should avoid alcohol and caffeine when their period is about to arrive or when they are struggling with PMS.
Ginger or peppermint tea may help reduce nausea, and some women benefit from progressive muscle relaxation or meditation. Over-the-counter anti-nausea medications may be of help, and the woman might wish to talk to her doctor about starting a hormonal birth control. This medication may help control the nausea and other symptoms she is experiencing.
Any woman struggling with nausea during her period should talk with their doctor. They may have suggestions on how to relieve this nausea and other problems she is having. Furthermore, the doctor can determine whether there is an underlying medical condition that can be treated to resolve the nausea. It never hurts to ask.
