Question About Menstruation and a Cold

Before today I was the only person I know who has ever noticed this -I get cold symptoms a couple of days before my period like clockwork. I drink a ton of water and take vitamins and they usually go away within a day or two. My only thoughts on it were that my body is using so much water and/or energy, antibodies, etc for menstruation that it causes dehydration and cold symptoms. I've asked friends and co-workers and no one else has seemed to notice this. Sorry I don't have a solution, only empathy.

That is an interesting question. There is a book called Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler that is a very good explanation of the female reproductive system. It may have your answer. I would highly recommend it.

I have found I get sick just before mine starts- just a cold too...your immune system can be a little wacky that time of the month..plus stress or fatigue that can come just before it starts can make you susceptible to a cold too..I find if I up my vitamins around that time it works well.

I don't know about the cold thing, but I would also highly recomend Taking Charge of Your Fertility - great book that answered a great many questions I had when we were TTC. It's also a great resource for more natural methods of birth control (that actually work).

Your immune system is slightly weaker before you get your period. It shouldn't happen every time but it might seem like it right now because of the cold season. Make sure she gets a flu shot this year.

Also, asthma tends to "act up" right before your period too.

I had that too as a teen - no more as an adult, thank G-d.

That's funny. I don't get a cold every month, but when I do get sick it's almost always right before or during my period. I'm sure it's an immune-system thing but I've never asked my doctor about it.

I'm no dr but I think its probabley immune system too, I still get spots the week before. Try her on vitamins and mght want to make sure her iron levels are good too.

I would talk to your dr. I have always been the same way. I am now 42 and it still happens.
Cheryl

I thought I was the only one who had this issue! I started my period when I was 10, and I would get a runny nose and sore throat the week prior to my period. It has continued off and on my entire life (40 yrs old now). It's a pain, but my cold symptoms definitely got better as I got to HS/College age.

hormones believe it. I'm 36 about 10 days or so before mine a get everything toothaches body aches sinuses act up etc. The symtoms of the cold could be the extra fluid we hold in our bodies at this time of the month.

I noticed someone else already posted about Toni Weschler. She has a new book coming out Nov 1st called Cycle Savvy -- The Smart Teen's Guide to the Mysteries of Her Body. That might be a better choice for your daughters age group.

This happened to me until I had my son and my OB told me to take vitamins the week prior to getting my period. There are vitamins that have extra iron in them, she may not need the extra iron since she is younger but it really works. To this day I still do it and when I don't I get a cold or a headache. Also push the natural fruits, red meat, green veggies a couple of weeks before hand. It is your immune system, some people just dip low right before hand. If I do get a sore throat I take the Alkaseltzer for colds and I feel great the next day. Good Luck!