Flu or Period?

Mother nature sucks

Because we need to talk more about these things to raise awareness here is my shot. It makes women feel better knowing they are not alone and men need to understand what we have to put up with.

For the last year or so I have felt some flu-like symptoms just before my period and for the first 24 hours. This was bugging the hell out of me. It started almost exactly on my 30th birthday and has been happening once a month since. Then I found this great Kotex site with an article about the exact same thing. The expert gives an amazing insight and some really good advice too. I know I will be trying it in future.

So what causes it?

According to the expert it is something called prostaglandins. These are active lipid compounds that are found in most organs and form around damaged tissue but are also responsible for inducing labor and periods. They cause blood to clot (so that explains a lot) and are responsible for those cramps. However, sometimes they can work their way into the blood stream and that is when you feel really ill.

What do they do to you?

Once in the blood stream they can become responsible for aching muscles, nausea, gastro-intestinal problems, headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears and a host of other things you might associate with colds and flu.

What do they do to YOU?

Well all of the above. I end up walking around like a zombie for about 24 hours. I often don't sleep well on the first night either because of them keeping me up (either wide awake or one of the symptoms keeps me awake). Because I haven't slept well that doesn't help matters.

How to can they be stopped?

According to the expert in that article I linked to you can take ibuprofen three times a day for a few days before and this should stop them from getting to work on areas of the body you want them to stay away from. Otherwise it is a case of put up and shut-up. 

Further observations:

I can't help but think that if this happened to men there would be a cure for it by now.