Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesOther CausesHow to CopeWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Other Causes
How to Cope
When to See a Provider
Nausea during periods is common withpremenstrual syndrome (PMS)along with mood swings, cramps, bloating, and tender breasts. It occurs when hormonal changes during menstrual cycles trigger the release of inflammatory compounds calledprostaglandins. These chemicals not only induce nausea but also cause menstrual cramps.
Less commonly, nausea during periods may be due to serious medical conditions likeendometriosis,adenomyosis, andpelvic inflammatory disease. Left untreated, these can lead to potentially severe complications.
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A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female" and “women” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female" and “women” as the sources use them.
What Causes of Nausea During Periods?
Nausea is common during the onset of PMS, which some people describe as “period flu.” Nausea and other symptoms of PMS commonly occur one to two weeks before the start of each menstrual period and resolve around the time that menstrual bleeding begins.
PMS is thought to be due to fluctuations in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. This includesestrogenwhich triggersovulation(the release of an egg from theovaries) andprogesteronewhich prepares theuterusfor implantation of the fertilized egg.
If fertilization doesn’t occur, the lining of the uterus, calledendometrium, will start to break down and release inflammatory compounds known as prostaglandins.
During menstruation, the primary function of prostaglandins is to stimulate uterine contractions to help shed the endometrial lining, thus producing a period. The contractions, in turn, can cause menstrual cramps, otherwise known as dysmenorrhea.
As prostaglandin levels increase, they can also affect the brain, causing symptoms like anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia, and a loss of sex drive.
What Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?
Other Causes of Nausea During Periods
The same mechanisms that give rise to nausea during PMS—hormonal fluctuations, prostaglandin production, and endometrial disturbances—can give rise to nausea independent of PMS. These conditions interfere with the normal menstrual cycle, albeit in different ways.
New Birth Control
Spotting or bleeding between periods (calledbreakthrough bleeding) can occur with any birth control pill, especially during the first few months of use. The inflammation of the uterus, in turn, can stimulate the release of prostaglandins and the onset of nausea.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is when endometrial tissues grow into the muscular wall of the uterus. This enlarges the uterus, causing heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) and pain. In addition to nausea, adenomyosis can cause cramping, pain during sex, and a feeling of bloating, fullness, or heaviness.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroidsare benign growths that develop in the uterus or endometrium. A person can have one or many, ranging from as small as a pea to as large as a football.
Certain types are more likely to trigger nausea than others, including intramural fibroids which can affect menstrual cycles and induce heavy menstrual bleeding.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis can cause heavy bleeding or pain during sex or when urinating or having a bowel movement. Nausea, constipation, and cramping are also common.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)is a condition in which multiple cysts develop on the ovaries. This can disrupt the balance of hormones leading to irregular periods, acne,excessive facial or body hair,male-pattern baldness, weight gain, and insomnia. The disruption of hormones can also cause nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting.
Early Pregnancy or PMS?
The one way to know for sure is totake a pregnancy test.
How to Deal With Nausea During Periods
Dealing with nausea during PMS can be challenging, but there are several things you can do to better cope when symptoms are severe:
Medications for Nausea: OTC and Prescription Options
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
It is time to call a healthcare provider if your period nausea is consistent or you have other symptoms, like severe pelvic pain, fainting, vomiting, or abnormal vaginal discharge.
Summary
Some nausea before and during your period is considered a normal PMS symptom. If nausea is coupled with heavy bleeding, severe cramps, fainting, or abnormal discharge, there may be an underlying condition at play, like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Starting birth control pills can also cause nausea coupled with breakthrough bleeding. Nausea may also be a sign of early pregnancy, which can be confirmed with a pregnancy test.
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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