Why You Might Feel Nauseous on Your Period

Cramping, bloating, and mood swings might be regular guests during your period but nausea? That one can feel especially confusing, and unpleasant. While not everyone experiences it, feeling nauseous during your menstrual cycle is more common than you might think, and it’s often a signal from your body worth paying attention to.

Here’s what could be behind that queasy feeling, plus tips to find relief and when to check in with your doctor.

1. Hormonal Shifts Are at Play

Prostaglandins hormone-like compounds released by the uterine lining are responsible for triggering uterine contractions. These are what cause period cramps, especially at the start of your cycle when prostaglandin levels are highest, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

But they don’t stop at cramping. Prostaglandins can also cause:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Headaches

• Breast tenderness

While this hormonal rollercoaster is a normal part of your cycle, the symptoms can sometimes feel overwhelming.

2. Pain Can Trigger Nausea

If your period cramps are intense, they might be enough to turn your stomach. According to Christine Greves, MD, board-certified ob-gyn, extreme pain can activate a stress response in the body, leading to nausea or even vomiting.

“When pain levels are very high, the body can respond by making you feel like you want to hurl,” Dr. Greves explains.

3. It Could Be a Sign of Endometriosis

If your period pain is beyond what feels manageable or seems to be getting worse over time, it might not just be standard PMS. One possible cause is endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus.

In addition to nausea, endometriosis symptoms may include:

• Pain during sex

• Pain during bowel movements or urination

• Heavy menstrual bleeding

Painful periods linked to underlying conditions like this are known as secondary dysmenorrhea. Left untreated, endometriosis can cause complications such as fertility issues, so it’s important to get evaluated if you suspect something more is going on.

4. An Infection Might Be to Blame

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection of the reproductive organs, can also cause nausea during your period. PID often develops from untreated sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia, and symptoms can be subtle at first.

Early signs may include:

• Mild pelvic pain

• Irregular bleeding

• Foul-smelling discharge

As the infection worsens, more serious symptoms can occur, including fever, nausea, and vomiting. If left untreated, PID can scar the fallopian tubes and affect fertility, so timely medical care is essential.

How to Relieve Period-Related Nausea

If your nausea seems to be linked to pain or hormonal changes, a few simple strategies may help:

• Take an NSAID (like ibuprofen) a day or two before your period begins to reduce prostaglandin levels.

• Stay hydrated, especially if you're experiencing vomiting.

• Eat light, bland foods such as yogurt, toast, or bananas.

• Sip ginger, peppermint, or chamomile tea, all known to help settle the stomach.

• Try cold seltzer or lemon water, which may help reduce nausea.

• Practice deep breathing or go for a walk to regulate your nervous system and ease discomfort.

If symptoms are interfering with your daily routine, talk to your doctor about trying a hormonal contraceptive, which can regulate your cycle and reduce the severity of period symptoms, including nausea.

When to See a Doctor

Not sure if what you’re feeling is normal? That’s reason enough to reach out.

Speak with your gynecologist if:

• You experience nausea regularly or severely during your cycle

• You're missing work, school, or social activities due to symptoms

• Your period pain feels like it’s getting worse over time

• You suspect an infection or have other symptoms like fever, vomiting, or abnormal discharge

“We have so many avenues to figure out if there’s an underlying cause so we can help make your life better,” says Dr. Greves.

Bottom line: Your period shouldn’t be something you dread or something that derails your day. If your symptoms are intense or feel out of the ordinary, listen to your body and advocate for care.

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