How to Manage Nausea During Menstruation

Many people experience nausea during their menstrual period. Here, we’ll explore the reasons behind nausea during menstruation, common questions, and ways to manage this symptom.

Why Does Nausea Occur During Menstruation?

Nausea during menstruation is mainly due to the increased secretion of a hormone called prostaglandin. Prostaglandin stimulates uterine contractions to help expel menstrual blood. Additionally, prostaglandin can also stimulate the stomach and intestines, leading to abnormal contractions in the digestive tract, which can cause nausea and discomfort.

Prostaglandin levels generally remain manageable if menstrual blood flows smoothly. However, factors like poor circulation due to cold or hormonal imbalances can slow menstrual flow, causing the body to produce more prostaglandin to increase uterine contractions. This overproduction of prostaglandin can lead to increased nausea and, in some cases, vomiting.

Could Nausea During Menstruation Be a Sign of Pregnancy?

If you are truly menstruating, pregnancy is unlikely, as the uterine lining required for pregnancy is shed as menstrual blood. However, what you think is menstruation could actually be "ovulation bleeding" or "implantation bleeding," which could indicate pregnancy.

If you experience unusual nausea during menstruation, you might want to check your basal body temperature (BBT) to confirm pregnancy status. BBT should be taken as soon as you wake up, without moving, while still lying down. Typically, BBT remains low before ovulation and high after ovulation, returning to low with the onset of menstruation. If bleeding occurs while your BBT remains high, it could be abnormal bleeding rather than menstruation, suggesting a possible pregnancy. In that case, you may want to use a pregnancy test one week after the expected start date of your period.

Possible Medical Conditions if Menstrual Nausea is Severe

If nausea occurs every period or is particularly intense, gynecological conditions might be involved.

• Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Approximately 25% of people with endometriosis experience nausea or vomiting.

• Dysmenorrhea

Even if there is no endometriosis, severe nausea that interferes with daily life could indicate dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea may be due to an overproduction of prostaglandin, which intensifies uterine contractions. Treatment may involve medication to reduce prostaglandin production or the use of low-dose birth control pills to suppress ovulation.

What to Do When You Feel Nauseous

1. Avoid Being Hungry

Menstrual discomfort often reduces appetite, leading to imbalanced meals. However, hunger can worsen nausea, so try to avoid going without food. Ginger and mint are effective at reducing nausea.

2. Press Acupressure Points

To relieve nausea quickly, try pressing the "Sanri" acupoint (just below the knee) or the "Laogong" point (located between the index and middle fingers when the hand is clenched).

Additionally:

- Lie down in a comfortable position to relax and calm yourself.

- Gently massage your abdomen to ease stomach activity.

- Ensure you get enough sleep.

These measures may help alleviate menstrual nausea.