Health & Wellness

Throwing Up on Your Period / Period Nausea

women writing in notebook

Feeling queasy during that time of the month? Period nausea is an unwelcome guest that often accompanies our menstrual cycle!

From morning meetings to evening plans, nausea during your period can turn a promising day into a challenging ordeal. Whether at work or at play, this nasty sensation affects our ability to fully embrace life’s opportunities, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of our bodies.

But fear not, we've got your back! We're about to share some effective strategies that can help you kick period nausea to the curb and reclaim your comfort. So, let's dive in and banish those belly blues!

What Causes Nausea During Your Period

First things first, let’s learn about what exactly is the horrendous period nausea. Nobody wants it, but let’s get over the hurdle of learning about it.

The Hormonal Rollercoaster

Throwing up on your period or feeling nauseous typically comes from hormonal changes that occur during your menstrual cycle. It is one of the common symptoms of menstrual sickness. The changes in estrogen and progesterone levels can trigger behavioral changes in the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to the unpleasant sensations of queasiness and potential vomiting. Furthermore, your uterus might release prostaglandins which play a role in the contraction of your uterus. This may also contribute to gastrointestinal disturbances, worsening the feeling of gagging.

Some women are more sensitive than others, making the symptoms of period nausea different for everyone. Certain women might be more likely to feel nauseous because they are sensitive to changes in hormones or have pre-existing gut issues.

Other Triggers of Period Nausea

Other than hormonal triggers, strong odors can make you feel queasy by triggering the nausea center in your brain. These include perfumes, certain cooking odors, or other chemical scents like petrol. During menstruation, heightened sensitivity can make mild odors feel intense.

Overeating can also make period nausea feel way worse. When you eat too much, your digestive system must work overtime. This ultimately leads to bloat, discomfort, and potential throw-up. Also, spicy, greasy, or processed foods don’t work too well with your body during menstruation.

A stressful environment can also crank up those queasy feelings. Stress and anxiety trigger your body’s fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones. These can severely mess with your digestion, causing nausea and stomach cramps.

Signs and Symptoms of Menstrual Sickness

Spotting nausea before your period means tuning into its peculiar signs. It often starts with a mild bilious feeling in your stomach, then ramps up to full-on nausea or a constant urge to vomit. This usually kicks in with your period and can hit hardest in the first few days when your hormones are peaking.

Along with nausea, you might experience other menstrual sickness symptoms such as tummy aches and bloating. Some might even encounter nightmarish period diarrhea, which can really offset your daily bowel routine. Other common signs are tender breasts, dizziness, or general fatigue, making everyday tasks tougher. Knowing these symptoms helps you figure out if it’s menstruation-related nausea so you can tackle it with the right strategy.

How Being Nauseous During Your Period Affects Your Life

Menstrual sickness can significantly affect different parts of your life, making regular daily activities more challenging to do. It’s important to acknowledge this common issue among all women so you can better cope with it when it occurs.

Productivity Impact

Maintaining productivity can be compromised, whereby simple tasks can now feel arduous. This can affect your work life, leading to missed deadlines and lower efficiency. Juggling professional duties while dealing with nausea can escalate your stress levels, creating a frustrating cycle of discomfort.

Sleep Disturbances

An increase in stress levels can trigger a domino effect, whereby your sleep can be messed with, leading to period insomnia. This has the potential to worsen over time which can become a chronic illness. Chronic insomnia is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Your Social Life

Social activities can take a hit as well. The fear of nausea or fatigue during your period can make outings intimidating, especially when your friends are counting on you. Worrying about getting sick in public can lead to staying home, potentially causing isolation and loneliness. This avoidance behavior can influence connections with others and diminish the pleasure from engagements, adding to emotional strain.

Physical Effects

The discomfort associated with menstrual sickness can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue or dizziness during your period. Owing to your body’s weakened ability to cope with daily demands, this can negatively affect your immune system. You could be more prone to getting sick with nasty flu bugs going around. Plus, period nausea may kill your appetite, leading to potential nutritional deficiencies and thus making your body even weaker.

Mental Toll

Mental health is not spared either! Dealing with nausea constantly is mentally exhausting – it can make you feel frustrated, irritable, and downright sad. The relentless battle with unpredictable menstrual sickness can feel like you’re losing control over your body, making you feel overwhelmed and mentally drained.

Increased Risk of Accidents

No, not only menstrual leaking accidents! All the above significantly impairs alertness and reaction time, increasing the chances of accidents in other situations too. At home, this could mean when cooking, cleaning, or doing everyday tasks. In the workplace, being less alert can cause mistakes, slips, and falls. And most frightening, when you’re behind the wheel! Driving while drowsy, of course, is extremely dangerous for everyone on the road.

Tips to Manage Period Nausea


Tackling period nausea infographic

 

To tackle period nausea head-on is all about implementing practical solutions into your daily routine. Let’s look at some of the best methods of coping with period vomiting to make you feel better and stay in control.


Wellness Technique Benefits Examples
Gentle exercise Improves mood and regulates hormones
  • Brisk walking
  • yoga poses
  • Claming teas Soothes stomach discomfort and reduces period nausea
  • Ginger tea
  • Pippermint tea
  • Avoid trigger scents Prevents discomfort and reduces nausea
  • Intense fragrances
  • Strong food smells
  • Good hydration Supports digestion and prevents dehydration
  • Herbal teas
  • Distilled water
  • Keep a calm environment Promotes relaxation and reduces overwhelming sensation
  • Dim the lights
  • Cool room temperature
  •  

    These techniques can be carried out in your everyday life without much fuss. You’d now be able to manage queasy feelings and minimize their influence in your day-to-day living. Understanding your body’s responses by making these small adjustments can provide great relief and improve your overall well-being.

    What to Eat When on Your Period

    Eating nutrient-dense foods during your period can really help with easing discomfort. Choosing whole foods that are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants supports overall health.

    You might want to begin with complex carbs like brown rice or bananas to keep your blood sugar stable. This avoids the rollercoaster spikes and drops that can make nausea worse. Lean proteins such as fish and eggs support muscle strength play a vital role in hormonal balance. Load up on fiber from veggies like Brussel sprouts or spinach to help with digestion and reduce bloat. Also, never forget about probiotic cultures! Foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kefir help restore gut flora.

    On the other hand, it’s important to steer clear of foods that can trigger period nausea and up your chances of vomiting. Spicy foods, for example, tend to irritate the stomach lining and cause inflammation. Similarly, greasy foods are more difficult to digest and often lead to discomfort. Any ultra-processed snacks, in general, should be avoided.

    When to Seek Professional Help

    While most women may find relief through the self-care tips mentioned above, there are times when consulting with your healthcare professional is necessary. If period nausea sticks around despite trying home remedies, it might be a sign of something deeper that needs a pro’s touch. Healthcare experts can dig to find out what’s causing it – whether its hormones acting up, tummy troubles, or something else.

    Furthermore, if you have period nausea along with severe pain or frequent vomiting, it’s probably time to talk to a doctor. Feeling feverish, dizzy, or unusually tired? These signs could mean there’s something serious going on that needs to be checked out and treated ASAP.

    Also, if you have pre-existing conditions like migraines, endometriosis, or digestive issues, your symptoms might get worse during your period. This means you might need special medical care that’s just right for you.

    Seeking professional help means you get personalized care and access to treatments that may not be available over the counter. They might suggest prescription meds, hormone therapies, or procedures that tackle what’s causing your nausea firsthand. This can give you relief and make your periods easier to handle.

    Redefine Your Period Experience with U by Kotex®

    When it comes to your period, dealing with nausea is one headache; comfort and protection against leaks shouldn’t be. That’s why U by Kotex® provides menstrual pads designed with you in mind! Unscented, and dermatologist-tested, these pads are gentle on your skin, while keeping you comfortable and confident.

    U by Kotex’s pads come in a range of styles and absorbencies, so no matter your flow, there’s always an ideal fit for you. Do you need light protection for daily freshness or extra absorbency when trying to get some shuteye? U by Kotex® has you covered!

    “This content should not substitute medical advice from your personal healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis or treatment.” 

    Kimberly-Clark makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or other health professional advice.