Can you get a slight fever before your period?

When it comes to periods, there is no shortage of questions. From wondering whether you can swim while menstruating to trying to decode the different PMS symptoms, period problems are universal. One such question that many people may have is – can you get a slight fever before your period?

Understanding Menstruation and Body Temperature

Before we dive into the topic, let’s understand how menstruation affects body temperature. The average body temperature for most people ranges from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C). Hormonal changes during premenstrual syndrome or PMS can cause minor changes in body temperature naturally.

Phase by phase understanding

To better grasp this concept, let’s break down menstrual cycles into three phases:

1. Follicular phase- This lasts between Day 1 and Day 14 of a typical menstrual cycle.

2.Ovulatory phase-It usually occurs between days 13 through day15 in women with regular cycles.

3.Luteal Phase – It begins after ovulation and continues until menstruation if fertilization does not occur.

During these phases, hormone levels fluctuate which then impacts biological functions like basal metabolic rates and core temperatures of our bodies. Moreover, certain PMS symptoms such as sweating at night or having insomnia could also affect our normal body temperatures.

Connection Between Menstrual Cycle And Fever

Now that we know how hormones influence bodily processes let’s explore why some individuals may experience slight fevers close to their periods.

Natural processes

It is very normal for there to be variations in one’s daily base temperature throughout the monthly cycle due,in large part,to hormonal fluctuations.\

Some studies suggest increased prostaglandin production during menstrual cycles activates inflammation responses in our bodies resulting in mild fevers.

However,it is important to note that while slight increases in body temperature during a menstrual cycle are normal, having an actual fever is not.

Endometritis

Aside from PMS symptoms and hormonal fluctuations Endometritis, which is the inflammation of the endometrial lining could also be responsible for a slight increase in core temperatures before menstruation.

Other possible causes include underlying infections or illnesses such as colds, flu, or urinary tract infections (UTIs).

How do you deal with a Slight Fever around your period?

Now that we know it is possible to experience mild fevers right before our periods let’s discuss what we can do if this happens.

1. Stay Hydrated: Keeping hydrated helps regulate your body’s response to heat.

2. Take pain relievers: Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can help alleviate cramps and reduce fever

3. Use Birth Control methods- Hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills could help by stabilizing hormone swings.

Remember,if the fevers persist for more than 24 -36hours prior to luteal phase onset then your primary care physician should be consulted⁽¹⁾

Conclusion

In conclusion, experiencing minor changes in body temperature close to one’s menstrual cycle is relatively common due to natural hormonal fluctuations and other medical conditions.

If accompanied by vigorous symptoms,it would be wise for one to consult their healthcare provider immediately.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about a specific topic in women’s reproductive health.
It does not constitute medical advice.If you have any concerns contact your healthcare professional

Reference:

[1] Spencer A & Bonzani R.Women’s Gynecologic Health.Jones & Bartlett Publishers;2017 Oct 16.