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What Is Period Flu? Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

Simple lifestyle factors may help to manage period flu symptoms. According to research, these factors include:

Eating a Balanced Diet

Preliminary research suggests consuming a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seafood, fruits, nuts and seeds, such as the Mediterranean diet, may help manage symptoms of period flu, although additional studies are needed. You might also consider incorporating calcium-rich foods, such as milk and yogurt, as one study in the Taiwan Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests taking 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day reduced certain symptoms, including fatigue, changes in appetite and depression, in people who had PMS .

Reducing Caffeine and Alcohol Intake

Too much caffeine may add to the sense of agitation and restlessness many people who experience symptoms of period flu feel, says Dr. Nevins.

Alcohol consumption may cause fluctuations in sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and gonadotropin (hormones helpful for growth, sexual development and reproduction) during your menstrual cycle, which can increase the risk of PMS and period flu, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal .

Limiting Salt Intake

Salt is the primary source of sodium in a person's diet and is found in high amounts in processed foods, such as ready meals, instant noodles, food additives, bread, processed meats and more. Dr. Nevins recommends limiting sodium intake to reduce water retention and bloating prior to a period.

Staying Hydrated

Drink plenty of water. Being well-hydrated reduces the severity of pain most people experience during their periods, according to a 2021 study in BMC Women's Health.  The study suggests that drinking between 1600 milliliters and 2000 milliliters of water daily shortened the length of menstrual bleeding and also reduced the number of painkillers study participants took during menstruation, suggesting a reduction in pain levels amongst study participants .

Increasing Physical Activity

"Research shows that exercising can also be very helpful, [including] low-intensity aerobic exercises, such as walking, light jogging, yoga or light weightlifting," says Dr. Nevins. "Exercising might be helpful as it reduces (period flu) symptoms, such as irritability and insomnia."

Improving Sleep Quality

Practice good sleep hygiene—follow a consistent nightly routine and aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night. This helps to lessen the effects of stress and manage symptoms, such as fatigue.

Additional Treatment Options

If lifestyle modifications don't improve the severity of period flu symptoms, the following additional treatments might help, according to research.

Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) including aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen and Tylenol may ease symptoms like pain. NSAIDS acts by blocking the production of prostaglandin which helps alleviate menstrual cramps, nausea and diarrhea.

Certain hormonal contraceptives including combined oral contraceptives (estrogen and progestin) or the progestin-only implant or injection stop ovulation, shortens the duration of menses (or may stop them completely) and reduces prostaglandin production—all of which may reduce pain around menstruation, including aches associated with period flu.

Vitamins like B1 supplements may relieve symptoms, such as muscle aches, fatigue and pain.

Speak to your health care provider about which period flu treatment or prevention option might be best for you and your health needs.

Regarding The Flu

Flu Shots

Flu shots are available at the Health and Wellness Center (Passan Hall first floor) at a cost of $20. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Please contact our office for more details:

570-408-4730

Flu FAQ How will I receive information about the status of possible flu outbreaks at Wilkes?

Updates will be available internally via the portal and for parents though the Wilkes Web site. The campus emergency message system will be used if classes are canceled or if there is urgent information to report.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. Additional symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea or vomiting.

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as high fever, body aches; extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

Who is most at-risk for developing the flu?

The flu can be serious illness for anyone. The groups at higher risk for complications from this flue are recommended to get the vaccine. These groups include:

Pregnant women

People who live with and care for children younger than 6 months of age

People between eh ages of 6 months and 24 years (this includes most of our undergraduate student population)

Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

People ages 25-64 years of age who have chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes, or compromised immune systems

What can I do to minimize my risk of contracting the flu?

The primary way that flu spreads from person to person is via droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. To minimize the spread, individuals should:

Practice good hand hygiene: Wash your hands frequently! In addition to using soap and hot water to wash your hands, Wilkes University is installing alcohol-based hand-sanitizing units in campus buildings and computer labs. Use them to clean your hands as you enter buildings and before and after using computers in laboratories.

Use good respiratory etiquette: Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into the crook of your arm or shoulder to minimize spread of the virus.

Get vaccinated for the seasonal flu and for H1N1 strain, especially if you are at risk.

Frequently clean surfaces in your residence hall room or apartment. This includes doorknobs, refrigerator handles, counters and computer keyboards. Disinfecting wipes are especially good for this.

Is there medication for the flu and how can I get medication for the flu?

We will be able to write prescriptions for Tamiflu. This medication does not cure the flu but can reduce its duration and the severity of symptoms. Students should visit the Health and Wellness Center in Passan Hall to obtain a prescription. Prescriptions also can be obtained from your personal physician.

How long does the flu last?

It is suggested that anyone with flu-like symptoms should stay home or in their residence for seven days or for at least 24 hours after they no long have a fever.

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