Many women experience chills, nausea, and fatigue in the days leading up to their menstruation. This phenomenon, colloquially termed "period flu," is linked to hormonal shifts rather than a viral infection.
How Prof. Dr. Mandy Mangler and 'gynfluencers' are naming the pre-period malaise
The term "period flu" has gained traction not as a clinical diagnosis, but as a way for women to describe a recurring set of symptoms that mimic a respiratory infection. As the report notes,Prof. Dr. Mandy Mangler—a professor of women's health and a self-described "gynfluencer"—advocates for gender-sensitive medicine to help women better understand these patterns. By naming the experience, health experts are helping women identify a cycle of malaise that often goes ignored or is misattributed to a lack of sleep or stress.
This trend reflects a broader shift in how women's health is discussed on social media and in digital spaces. For years, the range of PMS symptoms was narrowly defined as mood swings and bloating. However, the emergence of terms like "period flu" suggests a growing demand for a more nuanced understanding of how the menstrual cycle affects the entire body, including the immune system and respiratory health.
The 2022 Louisiana State University study on oestrogen and serotonin
While the term itself is colloquial, there is emerging evidence to explain why the body reacts this way. According to the report, a 2022 study by the Louisiana State University Health Science Center suggests that fluctuations in serotonin and oestrogen levels are primary drivers of these flu-like symptoms. these chemicals play a critical role in regulating both mood and physical well-being, and their dip before menstruation can leave a person feeling exhausted and irritable.
Prof. Dr. Mandy Mangler explains that the immune system is generally less active during the second half of the menstrual cycle. this biological dip can make women more susceptible to actual infections or simpy make them feel as though they are fighting one. In some cases, this heightened vulnerability manifests as recurring herpes outbreaks, illustrating how the cycle directly impacts the body's defense mechanisms.
Why prostaglandins and histamine levels mimic a common cold
The physical sensation of "period flu" is often a result of specific chemicals acting on different organs. Prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemicals that prompt the uterus to contract, can also cause systemic inflammation. As reported by the source, this process can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, which are easily mistaken for a stomach bug.
Simultaneously, the menstrual cycle influences histamine levels. This can trigger a reaction similar to hay fever, including sneezing, a stuffy nose, and coughing. When these respiratory symptoms combine with the fatigue caused by dropping serotonin levels, the result is a physical state that feels identical to a head cold, despite the absence of a virus.
The lack of formal scientific research into the 'period flu' diagnosis
Despite the widespread reporting of these symptoms, a significant gap remains in formal medical literature. The report explicitly states that "period flu" has had very little scientific study behind it, meaning the exact causes are not fully understood. This leaves several questions unanswered: it remains unclear why some women experience severe systemic reactions while others feel nothing at all, and there is a lack of clinical data on whether specific dietary interventions can mitigate these histamine spikes.
Because the source primarily relies on the perspective of Prof. Dr. Mandy Mangler and a single 2022 study, it is clear that more diverse, large-scale research is needed to move "period flu" from a social media term to a recognized medical phenomenon. Until then, experts suggest tracking cycles to differentiate between hormonal shifts and actual illnesses that require a doctor's visit.
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