Periods are not exactly a girl’s best friend. From cramps that have you bending over to mood swings, they can bring quite a lot of discomfort. As if the constant bleeding isn’t enough! Just when you think this could not be any worse, you might feel nausea slowly creeping in. Nausea during your period occurs due to hormonal and chemical changes, which is normal. However, these are not the sole reasons you might feel nauseous during this time. We’ll list the possible causes of this condition; keep reading to find out.
Causes of Nausea During Period
Feeling nauseous during menstruation is usually not a cause for concern. Nevertheless, some conditions might need medical attention. Common causes include:
1. Dysmenorrhea
Painful cramps or dysmenorrhea can also be a reason behind the nauseating feeling. You might experience:
- Back pain
- Pain in legs
- Pain in stomach
- Pain in pelvis
- A feeling like you’re close to vomiting.
2. Premenstrual Syndrome
Most of the time, nausea during or before a woman’s period is just a part of premenstrual syndrome or PMS. When it is your time of the month, a hormone called prostaglandin circulates in your body. This hormone is responsible for symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches.
You’ll feel the symptoms of PMS around one or two weeks prior to your period. It brings physical and emotional symptoms.
Physical symptoms include:
- Sore breasts
- Back pain
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Feeling constipated
Many women experience emotional symptoms like:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Feeling like crying for absolutely no reason
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood swings
3. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
PMS is hard enough to deal with itself, but there is an even more severe form of it known as a premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle contribute to both PMS and PMDD. But, unlike PMS, these changes can result in low serotonin levels. Serotonin is a natural chemical in your brain. Thus, you might notice emotional changes due to the imbalance.
PMDD is also responsible for nausea during your period, along with some emotional symptoms. Some indicators include:
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Severe fatigue
- Difficulty focusing
- Panic attacks.
4. Endometriosis
When you’re on your period, the tissue lining your uterus swells, breaks down, and sheds. This tissue is called the endometrium. Some women have similar tissue growing outside their uterus due to endometriosis. The tissue thickens and bleeds during your period, similar to the endometrium– but it cannot leave your body. As a result, it expands and brings pain instead.
You might experience intense pain that will make you nauseous. Some symptoms of this condition are:
- Infertility
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Heavy bleeding when you’re on your period
- Bleeding between periods
- Painful bowel movements and urination
- Constipation
5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Some infections get transmitted sexually. It can spread from the vagina to your uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. Consequently, an infection of the upper reproductive tract, called pelvic Inflammatory disease, occurs. It usually doesn’t have symptoms, but nausea occurs during and in between your period if the infection is severe.
What’s Next?
Nausea can be pretty unsettling, especially during your period. Although it is common, the nauseating feeling can be a symptom of an underlying condition. Visit our team at Gastroenterology if you feel nauseous. Dial (281) 357-1977 now to schedule an appointment.