What is Period Flu?
December 14, 2022
In addition to common symptoms like bloating and irritability, some women experience more flu-like symptoms before their period called "period flu."
According to Tara Chadwick, M.D., FACOG, a board certified gynecologist and specialty trained surgeon at The Gynecology Center at Mercy, "period flu" is not a medical term and described various flu-like symptoms that some women experience before their period.
"What we typically see is that if you're having symptoms that are flu-like while getting your period - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, body aches - that can be signs of other serious conditions you may have, like endometriosis," Dr. Chadwick said.
Symptoms can begin anywhere from a week or two before the first day of a period or during the period and can be mild to severe.
View Mercy gynecologist Dr. Tara Chadwick's interview regarding "period flu."
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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