Some of the tell-tale signs of menstruation include cramping and bloating — but there’s much more to it than that. Yes, the menstrual cycle affects your body, but it also affects your immune system too.

Your cycle and your immune system

Women may experience a cold, cough, throat ache, or other flu-like symptoms before their period. Sex hormone fluctuations, in part, are to blame for why you may be feeling crummy. 

According to a 2018 study published in The Autoimmune Journal, these drastic changes to progesterone and estrogen before menstruation can affect your immunity before and during your period. Plus, as you experience more inflammation (AKA cramping and bloating), your immune cells might be lower. As a result, it will be harder for your lower immune system to fight off a virus or bacteria that’s already brewing. Additionally, because your menstrual cycle affects your circadian rhythm (the natural process that regulates sleep patterns, hunger cues, hormone release, and period), this can also throw off your immune system. When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, your health may suffer as a result. 

For more about how the four phases of your period cycle affect your immune system and how to manage your health, read below. 

Changes in the immune system

Menstruation Phase

With a rise in estrogen and a drop in progesterone, your immune system will decrease and inflammation will increase. 

Follicular Phase

As your body prepares for an egg release, levels of estrogen will increase to thicken the uterus lining for a possible pregnancy. Your immune system will be stronger, thanks to the increase in estrogen. In general, women have higher immunity than men because of how estrogen impacts their bodies. However, estrogen can also pose the opposite effect on the immune system and cause women with high levels of estrogen to become more prone to autoimmune disorders.

Ovulation Phase

Estrogen levels and your immune system decrease to accommodate the possibility of sperm entering your body for a possible pregnancy, according to research from the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. But at the same time, it allows bacteria and viruses to attack the body. 

Luteal Phase

Progesterone rises and peaks to prepare for your period when a pregnancy doesn’t occur. As a result, your immune system may decrease. According to a 2017 study in Mucosal Immunology, progesterone can lower the ability to fight infections. 

How to boost your immune system

According to Harvard Health Publishing, you can strengthen your immunity by eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, not smoking, washing your hands, getting adequate sleep, and trying to minimize stress. “Healthy immune system warriors need good, regular nourishment,” they state. So, if you don’t like eating fruits and vegetables,taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement can strengthen your immune system too. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• The menstrual cycle and your hormones
• How the menstrual cycle impacts your mood

Sources

• Sabine, Oertelt-Prigione. “Immunology and the menstrual cycle.” The Autoimmune Journal. (6-7): A486-92. Web. May 2012. 
• Khan, Deena. “The Immune System Is a Natural Target for Estrogen Action: Opposing Effects of Estrogen in Two Prototypical Autoimmune Diseases.” Frontiers in Immunology. 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00635. Web. January 2016. 
• Williams, Sarah. “Why Women Are More Prone to Infections When Ovulating.” Live Science. May 30, 2013. https://www.livescience.com/36067-women-prone-infections-ovulating.html
• Hall, O., Klein. “Progesterone-based compounds affect immune responses and susceptibility to infections at diverse mucosal sites.” Mucosal Immunology. 10, 1097–1107. Web. April 2017. 
• “How to boost your immune system.” Harvard Health Publishing. February 15, 2021. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system

Hormones play an important role in the three phases of your menstrual cycle: the follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. Learn more about the menstrual cycle and your hormones here!

How do hormones impact the way you feel?

Throughout your cycle — which can last between 25 to 35 days — hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone can affect how you feel, the foods you crave, your sleep patterns, and more. Understanding how hormones fluctuate throughout your cycle can give you a better sense of what to expect during each phase.

Learn more about your menstrual cycle and hormones.

Learn more about the hormones in the menstrual cycle

Estrogen

During the follicular and menstruation phases, estrogen plays a dominant role. Estrogen levels will decrease as you begin menstruating, which can leave you feeling fatigued. When your period ends, estrogen will increase and you’ll likely regain your energy. As the follicular phase continues until ovulation, estrogen levels increase and you might notice glowing skin. Estrogen levels peak right before ovulation, which is also your fertile window for pregnancy. If an egg isn’t fertilized, estrogen levels will drop while progesterone increases. 

Progesterone

During the luteal and ovulation phases, progesterone plays a dominant role. Progesterone levels rise during the second half of your menstrual cycle (the luteal phase) as the egg prepares for a possible pregnancy. If you become pregnant, progesterone levels will continue to rise to grow and thicken the uterine lining for a developing baby. If you don’t, progesterone will dip, your uterine lining will shed, and you’ll start bleeding. Rising levels of progesterone are also responsible for PMS symptoms.

Follicular Stimulating Hormone

Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) rises during menstruation and follicular phase and hits its peak during ovulation. FSH stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovary. One of these follicles will become an egg that will be released during ovulation. Though there aren’t many main symptoms from FSH that you may feel, it is an essential component of the menstrual cycle. 

Luteinizing Hormone

Luteinizing hormone (LH) remains low throughout the menstrual cycle with the exception of the LH surge around mid-cycle which triggers ovulation. You may notice ovulation pain, or mittelschmerz, due to the LH surge. After ovulation, LH helps to create the corpus luteum that releases progesterone which helps to maintain a potential pregnancy if the egg is fertilized. 

Testosterone

Testosterone affects your skin, hair, and other physical features. A decrease in testosterone can lower your sex drive. An increase in testosterone can suppress your normal menstruation and ovulation. It can also be an indicator for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder in women. Testosterone increases during the luteal phase and peaks during ovulation, which can make you feel more energized. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• How the menstrual cycle impacts your mood
• How the menstrual cycle impacts your sleep

Sources

• E. Sterling. “Hormone Levels and PCOS.” Contemporary OB/GYN. November 8, 2011. https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/hormone-levels-and-pcos

The better you understand your unique menstrual cycle, the better you can understand your overall health.

Although the average menstrual cycle is 28 days, a cycle can actually be a few days longer or shorter and still be considered normal. Cycle length can also vary a little from cycle to cycle and still be considered normal.

Hormonal changes in the body trigger each cycle phase: menstrual, proliferative, ovulatory, and luteal. And while your period is the most recognizable phase, the other three are equally important and impact your energy levels, immune system, moods, and sleep patterns differently. Let’s dive in.

What are the menstrual cycle phases?

The body performs different functions throughout the four phases of the menstrual cycle, each of which plays a unique role in the reproductive process:

Proliferative: During the proliferative phase, ovarian follicles (structures in the ovary that each contain a single egg) mature and prime themselves for ovulation. Your hormones perform different functions that are geared toward the goal of producing an egg for fertilization during ovulation, the next phase. Although many follicles start maturing during the proliferative phase, usually only one eventually proves dominant, and becomes the sole egg available during ovulation.

Ovulatory: The ovulatory phase begins as a hormone surge forces the dominant egg to break free from its follicle and nest in a fallopian tube, where it will disintegrate if not fertilized within about 24-36 hours. Ovulation is the only phase in which you can get pregnant. But because sperm can live for up to five days in the reproductive system, if sperm is present in the short time leading up to ovulation, this can also result in conception.

Luteal: Following ovulation, the follicle that released the egg transforms into a corpus luteum, a structure that produces the pregnancy hormone progesterone. Progesterone thickens the lining of the uterus in preparation for a fertilized egg to make its home there for the next nine months. If conception occurs, the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone to maintain a healthy pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum ceases its progesterone production after about two weeks. This drop in progesterone signals menstruation to begin.

Menstruation: The onset of menstruation is considered to be the start and end of a menstrual cycle, as it signifies the end of an opportunity for fertilization for one egg (and the beginning for millions more). Menstruation is triggered when the corpus luteum of the last cycle’s unfertilized egg ceases to produce progesterone, usually occurring about two weeks after ovulation, causing the uterine lining to shed, along with a bit of blood. The length and intensity of a period varies from person to person and cycle to cycle, but usually lasts between 4-6 days. Once the period stops, the proliferative phase begins again, starting the reproductive process anew.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• The menstrual cycle and your hormones
• Tracking fertility during the proliferative phase
• 5 signs you might be ovulating

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Menstrual cycle: What’s normal, what’s not.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 4/16/2013. Web.
• “Patient Fact Sheet: Am I Ovulating?” ASRM. American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2014. Web.

Call your healthcare provider if you experience these complications

When new symptoms appear, you might find yourself wondering if you should wait things out or call your healthcare provider right away. Some reasons that you should, indeed, go ahead and call your provider include:

If you experience unusual bleeding

Everyone’s periods are different, and what’s normal for one person might not be normal for another. Some women have light periods, others heavy. And for some women, irregular periods or spotting between regular periods might be par for the course. But if bleeding becomes different than what you’re used to – like, say, bleeding profusely during your period (enough to change pads or tampons every hour) or spotting between periods when this just isn’t typical for you- then you’ll want to be in touch with your healthcare provider to figure out just why these changes are occurring.

If you experience a lot of pain during your period

Many women experience cramping during that time of the month. But if you experience pain during your period that is extremely painful or incapacitating, pick up that phone and be in touch. Major pain could be a sign of a bigger problem. And even if it’s not, you shouldn’t suffer, and your provider can work with you to try to find ways to mitigate your discomfort.

If you notice vaginal itching, burning, odor, or an unusual discharge

Vaginal discharge is common – and you likely know what sort of a discharge is normal for you during different stage of your cycle – but if you experience a discharge that’s a bit different than normal, especially if it’s accompanied by an unusual odor, then touch base with your healthcare provider. Same goes for if you’re experiencing any vaginal itching or burning. These symptoms could be signs of vaginitis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or a yeast infection.

If you experience discomfort when you urinate

If you experience pain or discomfort when you urinate, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Sometimes pain while peeing might also be accompanied by a strange odor or discharge, or by fever, chills, or pain in your back. If you’re experiencing any of these issues – you guessed it – get in touch with your provider.

If sex is painful

Sex should be pleasurable, but if you’re experiencing unwelcome pain, give your healthcare provider a ring. There are a number of reasons this discomfort could be happening, and talking through just what exactly is painful with your provider can help you get back in the saddle – comfortably – in no time.

If you experience pain, fullness, or discomfort in your abdominal or pelvic area

If you have discomfort in your abdomen or pelvis area, talk things through with your provider. There are a range of reasons you might be experiencing feelings of pain, fullness, or other discomfort – everything from pelvic inflammatory disease, to ectopic pregnancy, to fibroids, to cysts, to endometriosis, to infection. This really runs the gamut, and an expert opinion is needed to determine whether the pain is a symptom of something critically threatening, or benignly uncomfortable.

If you have trouble getting aroused or climaxing

If you notice that you’re having trouble when getting intimate, either getting aroused or orgasming, your healthcare provider can help you work through these problems. Whether there are some underlying physical issues at play or it just takes a few small refinements in the bedroom, you deserve to have a healthy sex life, and your healthcare provider can help you work through these concerns.

If your period suddenly stops

If you’ve been sexually active and your period suddenly stops, the most likely explanation is that you’re pregnant. If you’ve been actively TTC, this might be just what you’ve been hoping for! You know what to do – pee on a stick and call your healthcare provider. And if you haven’t haven’t been sexually active, then obviously there might be something else at play, so be in touch with your provider to figure out what’s going on.

If you’ve been TTC for a while

Just what is a while? If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year (or six months if you’re over 35) and have not yet had a positive result, it could be time to be in touch with your healthcare provider to see if there are any underlying issues that might be preventing you from getting pregnant or if you need some extra help along the way.

If you have questions or concerns about your current method of birth control

If you’re not presently TTC and aren’t feeling so hot about your current birth control – maybe you’ve been experiencing side effects or just don’t think you current option jives with your lifestyle (perhaps you’re forgetting to take that daily pill?) – then your provider can help you find another option that will work best for you.

If you notice any other major changes

You know what’s normal for your body. And you might have noticed that much of the above list involves changes that signal something is different. So as a general rule, any major change that signals something is out of sorts is definitely worth being in touch with your healthcare provider. What if it’s something that doesn’t seem quite so major but definitely seems slightly off? Give them a call anyway. Err on the side of caution, and let your provider give you some guidance on what is likely a-okay and what warrants an office visit to have things checked out further.

Sources:

• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Benign breast problems and conditions.” ACOG. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, June 2012. Retrieved September 26 2017. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Benign-Breast-Problems-and-Conditions.
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “FAQ136: Evaluating infertility.” ACOG. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, June 2012. Retrieved September 26 2017. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Evaluating-Infertility.
• “Annual Exams.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/annual_exams.html.
• “Contraceptive Options.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/contraceptive_options.html.
• “Infections and Pelvic Pain.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/infections_pelvic_pain.html
• “Menstrual Problems.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017.
• “Period Problems.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/period_problems.html.
• “Sexual Health.” Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Retrieved September 26 2017. http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gynecology/sexual_health.html.

Are you pregnant or is your period just late? Here’s how to tell

Learn more about actual pregnancy symptoms before you start getting concerned.

The science behind symptoms

Pregnant or not, your body starts releasing progesterone after you ovulate. This hormone keeps getting released and is at its highest point around five to seven days after ovulation. If a woman is pregnant, her body continues to produce progesterone in high amounts to help sustain the pregnancy. If she’s not pregnant, her progesterone levels decrease, and she’ll start her menstrual period.

Thanks also to progesterone, the symptoms of early pregnancy and your period are nearly identical. Cramps, fatigue, dizziness, breast tenderness – all early signs of pregnancy, but also possible signs of your period coming.

What about light spotting a week after ovulation? It could indicate implantation bleeding, but most women don’t experience this symptom and spotting can happen for other reasons.

What about nausea? This symptom is typically attributed to hCG, the pregnancy hormone, but it can be caused by other things, too (including PMS).

In the weeks between ovulation and a pregnancy test, many women “symptom spot”; that is, they take note of certain physical symptoms and think that they are definitely signs of early pregnancy. Is symptom spotting so wrong? Absolutely not, and it can even be kind of fun, as long as you know that only a blood test can tell you for sure if you’re pregnant.

Is there anything I can look for?

Probably the most reliable physical symptom of early pregnancy is a missed period. Noticing that your breasts are getting increasingly sore, or experiencing symptoms that you don’t usually get around the time of your period, are also signs that you could be pregnant. But again, a blood test will be the best way to know for sure.

Final thoughts: things to keep in mind

The bottom line is that without a blood test, it’s nearly impossible to know for sure whether you’re pregnant or experiencing a late period. Even home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative, if taken too early, so it’s really smart to wait to take a test until or after your expected period.

If you’re paying attention to your symptoms, just know that it can get a little stressful for some women. So if you find yourself symptom spotting, try to be aware of how often you do it, and how you feel – does it distract you or stress you out? If it starts to get emotionally taxing for you, look for ways to stop paying attention to your symptoms.

Finally, make sure you’ve scheduled a pregnancy blood test, and keep taking your prenatal vitamins! Whether it’s sooner or later, when you get that BFP, you’ll be glad you did!

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2015. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940.
• Lori A Bastian, Haywood Brown. “Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of early pregnancy.” UptoDate. UptoDate Inc., Jul 2017. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis-of-early-pregnancy?source=search_result&search=waiting%20for%20pregnancy%20test&selectedTitle=1~150.
• “Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy.” ACOG. FAQ126 from the American College of Obstetricans and Gynecologists, Dec 2015. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Morning-Sickness-Nausea-and-Vomiting-of-Pregnancy.

Pregnancy implantation signs and symptoms

Timeline

The first difference is in the timing of the symptoms. Implantation happens any time between about 5-10 days after you ovulate, while PMS usually sets in closer to two weeks after. So if symptoms start and it feels a little early to you for it to be menstruation, it might be a successful implantation.

Cramping

Mild cramping can be a sign of successful implantation, as the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining. These cramps don’t happen in every case, and they’re not, on their own, enough to say for sure that implantation has happened. When they do occur though, they’re different from menstrual cramps in that they only last for short periods of time, rather than continuously like menstrual cramps. The pain they cause also tends to be much more mild than that from menstrual cramps.

Spotting

Implantation bleeding produces a lot less blood than a menstrual period. Instead, it’s more like spotting, and is more likely to range from pinkish to brownish, instead of red like menstrual blood. If you have heavier-than-period bleeding, especially with extreme cramping, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Soreness

Both implantation and PMS can cause soreness in your breasts. The two types of soreness won’t necessarily feel that different from one another, but soreness from a period will usually go away after a few days, whereas soreness from implantation might stick around through your pregnancy. In fact, the elevated presence of progesterone and other hormones during pregnancy can cause several different changes in your breasts. Another change that you might notice around the time of implantation is a darkening of your areolas.

Other signs

There are other signs of implantation that don’t correspond to menstrual symptoms, like nausea and morning sickness, increased urination, and, of course, missing your period. Since everyone’s body is different though, you may not notice some or all of these signs. At-home pregnancy tests can provide a bit more confirmation, though they won’t reach their full accuracy until around your expected period date.

Sources

• “Is It Implantation Bleeding — Or Just My Period?” WhattoExpect. What to Expect, Apr 12 2016. Web.
• Margaret Scott. “Signs Of Successful Implantation: Why It Is Important To Stay Optimistic.” ImplantationSpotting. All About Implantation Bleeding, 2014. Web.

When you’re trying to conceive, the similarities between symptoms of implantation and signs of PMS can sound maddeningly similar on paper, but in reality, there are differences you may be able to feel, and there’s a good chance you’ll have an idea whether implantation took place before a pregnancy test can even tell you.

Signs of implantation: A timeline

The first difference is in the timing of the symptoms. Implantation happens any time between about 5-10 days after you ovulate, while PMS usually sets in closer to two weeks after.

Implantation symptoms

If symptoms start and it feels a little early to you for it to be menstruation, it might be a successful implantation.

Cramping

Mild cramping can be a sign of successful implantation, as the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining. These cramps don’t happen in every case, and they’re not, on their own, enough to say for sure that implantation has happened. When they do occur though, they’re different from menstrual cramps in that they only last for short periods of time, rather than continuously like menstrual cramps. The pain they cause also tends to be much milder than that from menstrual cramps.

Spotting

Implantation bleeding produces a lot less blood than your period. Instead, it’s more like spotting, and is more likely to range from pinkish to brownish, instead of red like menstrual blood. If you have heavier-than-period bleeding, especially with extreme cramping, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Soreness

Both implantation and PMS can cause soreness in your breasts. The two types of soreness won’t necessarily feel that different from one another, but soreness from a period will usually go away after a few days, whereas soreness from implantation might stick around through your pregnancy. In fact, your hormones during pregnancy can cause several different changes in your breasts. The other one that you might notice around the time of implantation is a darkening of your areolas.

Other signs

There are other signs of implantation that don’t correspond to PMS, like nausea and morning sickness, increased urination, and missing your period. Since everyone’s body is different though, you may not notice some or all of these signs. At-home pregnancy tests can provide a bit more confirmation, though they won’t reach their full accuracy until around your expected period date.

Sources

• “Pregnancy Symptoms.” American Pregnancy Association. American Pregnancy Assocaition. June 29, 2018. http://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/early-pregnancy-symptoms/
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Symptoms of Pregnancy: What happens first.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. Jan. 5, 2017. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853

Early symptoms of pregnancy

• Fatigue: You begin to feel unexplainable and unusually extreme fatigue without exerting too much energy. Certain typical activities that once seemed like nothing now begin to feel like giant hurdles. Instead of trying to battle this fatigue with caffeine, try to stay well rested and take it easy!
• Food aversions: You open your fridge and the thought of eating last night’s leftovers makes you wince and gag. Out of nowhere it seems like the idea of foods you once loved make you sick to your stomach. On the other end of the spectrum, you may begin to crave certain foods at irregular times throughout the day.
• Sensitivity to smells: Like some sort of superhero, you begin to feel a heightened sense of smell. Different scents that you’ve smelled before, whether you enjoy them or not, begin to make you nauseous and sick to your stomach.
• Nausea and vomiting: Instead of springing out of your bed in the morning, you begin your day by hugging your toilet bowl and vomiting as if you’d partied like a rockstar the night before. Morning sickness, while not necessarily always in the morning, is a very common and early indicator of pregnancy. The good news is this sickness will only be around the earliest stages of your pregnancy and is likely to fade out by the end of the first trimester. In order to battle this it, try to eat smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day to ensure that your stomach is never too empty. It’s also good to have a small snack before bed. If you’re beginning to use prenatal vitamins, try to avoid taking them on an empty stomach.
• Breast swelling and tenderness: Your breasts may begin to swell and feel heavier. They begin to feel very tender to the touch and just putting on a bra feels like torture. You also may notice that the area around your nipples, or areola, begins to darken. In order to remedy this, try wearing either a sports or padded bra.
• Frequent urination: You may also start to notice that you’re taking more frequent trips to the restroom to pee. As the Uterus grows, it begins to push against the bladder in early pregnancy causing frequent urination. Always try to go to the bathroom before bed in order to get as much sleep as possible. It is not uncommon to wake up at least once in the middle of the night with the need to urinate.
• Shortness of breath: In addition to extreme fatigue, certain activities may begin to make you feel like you are out of breath and gasping for air. This is particularly common, as growing embryos need more oxygen in order to grow. As you go throughout your pregnancy, you may notice this shortness of breath to get more extreme. If you have a sudden shortness of breath unrelated to exercise, notice breathing becomes painful, or your breathing gets worse when you are lying down, you should consult a doctor.
• Physical changes: You may also begin to notice some physical changes to your body. If you begin to notice changes in your vagina’s color, see a physician for a pelvic exam. This is also accompanied by a softening of the cervix. It is important to look into these changes, as they are not just potential symptoms of a new pregnancy but also of other things such as premenstrual syndrome.
• Constipation: As hormones increase at an exponential rate, food may begin to move more slowly through your intestines. This may cause you to feel bloated and constipated. To battle this, make sure to get plenty of exercise, drink lots of water, and eat foods high in fiber.
• Mood swings: Things that used to be minor irritations start to feel like the beginning of World War III. High changes in hormone levels can cause sudden mood swings. Don’t stress over it, as these mood swings are extremely common in the first trimester.
• Headaches and back pain: It’s also quite common to notice headaches and sharp pain in your lower back. You can remedy these pains with over the counter acetaminophen. The back pain will only continue to get worse however as you gain weight and your center of gravity begins to change.
• Dizziness and fainting: You may also notice an uneasy dizzy feeling which in extreme cases can cause you to faint. This is caused by dilating blood vessels, lower blood sugar, and lower blood pressure so make sure to eat and drink plenty of water!
• Cramping and spotting: You might feel severe abdominal pain similar to when you begin your period. This cramping is not due to your period, but by your uterus stretching to get ready for a baby. You may also see some light spotting coming well before when you would expect your period.
• Elevated basal body temperature: An elevated basal body temperature (BBT) into the luteal phase may also be an early sign of pregnancy. The BBT typically stays elevated from the two weeks you are ovulating until you get your period. If it remains to stay at a high level after these two weeks, consider taking a pregnancy test.

Sources

• “Pregnancy Symptoms.” American Pregnancy Association. American Pregnancy Assocaition. June 29, 2018. http://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/early-pregnancy-symptoms/

Wondering about your period as a trans, genderqueer, or non-binary person?

For some, it’s no big deal, but for other people, like those who are trans, genderqueer, or non-binary, getting and managing a period can be particularly stressful. Buying or using products marketed to only women, using or carrying menstrual products in public bathrooms, or experiencing body changes can heighten the stress of feeling like your body doesn’t match your gender — something called gender dysphoria.

If you experience this stress when you get your period, there may be a few things that can help:

• Use menstrual products that make you feel most comfortable. Everyone is different, but for you this might mean products that:
  • Don’t need to be inserted: pads or absorbent underwear.
  • Aren’t felt or seen once in place: a menstrual cup or tampon.
  • Don’t need to be changed frequently: a menstrual cup or absorbent underwear.
  • Are quiet and won’t draw attention in a bathroom: fabric pads or absorbent underwear.
• Use menstrual products that are gender neutral or that aren’t marketed as being especially feminine, like boyshort or boxer brief style absorbent underwear.
• Have menstrual products shipped to your home rather than buying them in a store.
• Manage cramps with heat therapy (a heating pad or hot water bottle) or over-the-counter medication (checking in with your healthcare provider about what’s best for you).
• Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident to help offset symptoms like bloating or a swollen chest.

How hormone therapy or hormonal birth control could affect your period

It’s also worth noting that taking hormones can affect your period in some notable ways:

Testosterone: If you take testosterone or go through hormone replacement therapy, your period can get lighter and shorter over time or come unexpectedly before stopping. Testosterone injections (versus testosterone cream) can make this happen more quickly. After a period stops, occasional spotting or cramping might be normal. This is reversible, so a period can come back if you stop taking hormones.

Hormonal birth control: For people who use certain kinds of hormonal birth control, a period might become lighter or stop completely.

Puberty blocking hormones: Puberty blocking hormones will prevent the gendered changes that come along with puberty, including body changes like growing breasts and getting a period.

It’s also worth noting that if you haven’t had surgery to remove your reproductive organs, getting pregnant is still possible — even if your period is becoming more irregular. Ovulation will likely be blocked if you’re taking testosterone, but it is possible for individuals taking testosterone to get pregnant. So if you’re sexually active with someone who has sperm and you don’t want to get pregnant, be sure to take precautions and use birth control.

Find a healthcare provider who understands you

If you have questions about how to best manage your period or are experiencing gender dysphoria or distress surrounding your period, you should speak with your healthcare provider. Everyone deserves to see healthcare professionals who listen to their needs and can provide them with thoughtful care. If you’re currently looking for a provider who is better attuned to your unique needs and knowledgable about trans, genderqueer, and non-binary concerns, you might find the searchable provider databases from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health or the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association to be meaningful resources.

Self care methods to remember during your menstrual period

Depending on what’s normal for you, you should definitely plan to treat yourself with a lot of kindness during your period. Respect your own feelings, your degree of comfort or discomfort, and the pace you’re comfortable with.  This may mean that you carry on with life as usual, or it may mean you make a point to slow things down. This goes for everything from your physical activity to your social calendar to your sleep schedule.

When it comes to physical activity, pay attention to your comfort and energy levels. Some people carry on with their usual exercise routines – and, indeed, physical activity of this sort can actually help with cramping – while others prefer to take it a bit easier.

When it comes to your social life, do you feel like you want to carry on with your usual social schedule? Or do you want to use the opportunity to snuggle up at home with a heating pad and a good book? You know yourself best, so respect your body, your energy levels, and how you’re feeling.

The same goes for sex. Many people are down for being intimate in many of the same ways they would at other times of the month, maybe just with an extra towel on the bed or an extra shower added to the day. And other people, whether because of physical discomfort or preference, just prefer to take a break. There’s no right or wrong – you do you.

If you regularly experience period symptoms that get in the way of your usual daily life – like painful cramping, dizziness, or fatigue – you may want to try to plan to be extra proactive about self-care during that time. This can look different for everyone. It might mean you preemptively take an over-the-counter pain reliever at the start of your period (though do check with your healthcare provider to find out what’s safe for you). It might mean you keep a heating pad close or pencil in a relaxing warm bath for some heat therapy. And if fatigue tends to hit you hard, it might mean you don’t plan any late nights so you can really prioritize rest.

You can also try to be mindful of what you are and aren’t adding to your body during this time. It can help to stay hydrated and eat a nutritious diet, like veggies, whole grains, fruit, lean protein, good fats, and dairy. It can also help to avoid things like caffeine, alcohol, and smoking (the last of which you should always avoid), which can make cramps worse. And you may also want to avoid particularly salty food, which can dehydrate you. As with most things, you should see what seems to feel best for you.

There’s nothing wrong with respecting your body’s needs and listening to the rhythms of your cycle. It’s really amazing what our bodies are capable of and what they’ll communicate to us if we listen. Giving yourself a little extra love during this period is just one way to show yourself the kindness you definitely deserve.

But there is a difference being kind to yourself with period-focused self-care that can help make that time of the month more manageable for you and dealing with the sort of discomfort that you should really see your healthcare provider about. If you do have the sort of discomfort and symptoms that really impact your life in a negative way – meaning cramps that last longer than a few days, cramps that feel severe or unusual in any way, or any other symptoms that make life particularly tough for you, talk to your healthcare provider so they can help you find some relief.

You deserve to feel your best – throughout your cycle, and each and every day.

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Menstrual cramps.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, April 14 2018. Retrieved February 25 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/symptoms-causes/syc-20374938.
• “Dysmenorrhea.” Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved February 25 2019. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4148-dysmenorrhea.
• “Dysmenorrhea: Painful Periods.” The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. January 2015. Retrieved February 25 2019. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Dysmenorrhea-Painful-Periods.
• “What can I do about cramps and PMS?” Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Retrieved February 25 2019. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/menstruation/what-can-i-do-about-cramps-and-pms.