Nausea during and before periods : a premenstrual symptom

Written by Marion Goilav

Reviewed by Charline midwife

Many women experience discomfort and disorders related to their periods. Some menstruate with nausea and vomiting before and during periods. But why?

Is there a link between nausea and periods ?

Lhe arrival of menstruation is evocative of various symptoms such as stomach ache during periods. How is nausea a symptom of periods?

Doctors don't really explain why or how menstrual flow and nausea are linked, but it's likely that the significant hormonal changes taking place in our bodies are triggering the urge to vomit.

Why does periods cause nausea and vomiting?

Menstruation can cause nausea and vomiting. Hormonal changes with the drop in progesterone and estrogen can cause digestive disorders. The main cause is pain. The close contractions of the uterus reduce the oxygen supply to the muscles, causing the area to tense up, with pain in the lower abdomen, back and thighs.
Some women may also experience nausea and digestive problems during ovulation.

Too much prostaglandin

The high level of prostaglandin secretion encourages and promotes the uterine contractions needed to expel the unfertilized endometrium during the menstrual cycle. If the body produces large quantities of prostaglandins, uterine contractions will be greater and more frequent, causing pain and discomfort during periods !
Prostaglandins do not act in a localized way, but can act on the whole body, i.e. their action can also be seen on the digestive tract.

Severe pain associated with periods

There are a number of causes of menstrual pain and nausea before and during menstruation:
Catamenial migraines are headaches that appear before menstruation and last until the 2nd or 3rd day of periods. They can cause dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Stomach aches and pains accentuated by the insertion of a copper IUD. In fact, the copper IUD encourages painful, abundant flow
Endometriosis can cause periods painful, even vomiting. Endometriosis is also known to cause digestive disorders.

Is it normal to feel nauseous before periods ?

When the urge to vomit appears in the morning and/or evening and is triggered a few days before menstruation, it is surely part of PMS. After ovulation, sex hormones such as estrogen levels drop in the blood and symptoms such as a bloated belly, stomach pains, sore breasts and nausea appear. These symptoms will disappear a few days after blood loss.
If nausea appears mainly in the morning, whether in the days preceding periods or even more so if you notice a delay in periods, it's worth asking yourself about a possible pregnancy. Don't forget that no contraception is 100% reliable, so if you have any doubts, don't hesitate to take a pregnancy test.
Certain illnesses such as endometriosis or ovarian diseases can also cause nausea and digestive problems. The same applies to menopause.

Beware of the risk of pregnancy

As we've just seen, nausea can be one of the symptoms of pregnancy! Here are a few other PMS-like symptoms that might alert you:

• Constipation, bloating and flatulence,
• Migraines and back pain,
• Mood swings,
• Cramps in the lower abdomen and legs,
• Nausea and vomiting,
• Significant fatigue.

An absence of periods or amenorrhea is also one of the major signs of pregnancy in women and should alert you! If in doubt, consult your doctor and take a pregnancy test.

How can you reduce nausea during and before periods ?

There are several ways to avoid this discomfort as menstruation approaches. Let's discover them together!

A healthy diet and good hydration

Overall, it is advisable to s'eat foods you can tolerate during this menstrual period! Here are a few dietary tips to help reduce nausea:

• Don't get up too quickly on an empty stomach: nibble on a small snack when you get out of bed before getting out slowly.
• Avoid foods that are too rich, too fatty or dishes with sauce: prefer simple foods such as pasta, rice, potatoes, nuts or healthy proteins.
• Don't eat foods with a strong taste or smell (spices, garlic, etc.) land ventilate when cooking so that cooking odours are not too unpleasant.
• Drink regularly! Ginger infusions are also known to soothe the stomach.

Bonus: peppermint essential oil

Leppermint essential oil is also known for its role in soothing nausea, motion sickness and vomiting during periods in general. It can be taken orally on a sugar cube: ask your pharmacist for the right dosage for your situation.

Taking medication

When nausea systematically leads to vomiting and doesn't stop when the stomach is empty, you may need to be prescribed antiemetic medication. Some metopimazine-based drugs are available over the counter for short-term treatment, but when symptoms persist beyond periods, it is important to seek medical advice, especially if symptoms are accompanied by fever and/or constipation. Appropriate treatment, under the advice of your doctor or gynaecologist, can help you get better.

Rest and reduce stress

In general, take it easy on yourself and avoid shaking your stomach too much during your period! Stress is responsible for an increase in gastric acids in the stomach, which can cause ulcers, nausea, vomiting and bloating... High levels of anxiety, a common symptom of PMS, can also lead to nausea. So avoid stressful situations as soon as possible to avoid reinforcing this condition. Give priority to meditative activities, such as relaxation, and make sure you respect your sleep quota.

The FAQ for nausea during periods

Why does nausea occur at periods ?

How to get rid of nausea during periods ?

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