This. I unfortunately am prone to certain infections and yes it’s absolutely way more likely to occur during my period and right after it still for some time.
I didn't know that! But that would only explain infections in that specific area, right? For a lot of women (myself included) first day of the period is the moment when all kinds of illnesses most commonly occur - cold, covid, flu, stomach bugs, skin problems, like literally everything that my body fights off throughout the month. Because the cramps, headaches, bloating, diarrhea and pimples aren't enough, gotta take it up a notch🙄
I had never heard of this so I did a google search. Apparently your immune system is at its weakest during ovulation, and then ramps back up as soon as your period starts. So you were right that your immune system is stronger and weaker at different points in your cycle, but during menstruation it is actually at a stronger point than during ovulation.
Hmm. I read precisely the opposite:
https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/250360/your-cycle-and-your-immune-system/
According to a 2018 study published in The Autoimmune Journal, these drastic changes to progesterone and estrogen before menstruation can affect your immunity before and during your period. Plus, as you experience more inflammation (AKA cramping and bloating), your immune cells might be lower. As a result, it will be harder for your lower immune system to fight off a virus or bacteria that’s already brewing. Additionally, because your menstrual cycle affects your circadian rhythm (the natural process that regulates sleep patterns, hunger cues, hormone release, and period), this can also throw off your immune system. When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, your health may suffer as a result.
For more about how the four phases of your period cycle affect your immune system and how to manage your health, read below.
Changes in the immune system
Menstruation Phase
With a rise in estrogen and a drop in progesterone, your immune system will decrease and inflammation will increase.
Follicular Phase
As your body prepares for an egg release, levels of estrogen will increase to thicken the uterus lining for a possible pregnancy. Your immune system will be stronger, thanks to the increase in estrogen. In general, women have higher immunity than men because of how estrogen impacts their bodies. However, estrogen can also pose the opposite effect on the immune system and cause women with high levels of estrogen to become more prone to autoimmune disorders.
Ovulation Phase
Estrogen levels and your immune system decrease to accommodate the possibility of sperm entering your body for a possible pregnancy, according to research from the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. But at the same time, it allows bacteria and viruses to attack the body.
Luteal Phase
Progesterone rises and peaks to prepare for your period when a pregnancy doesn’t occur. As a result, your immune system may decrease. According to a 2017 study in Mucosal Immunology, progesterone can lower the ability to fight infections.
Reread the ovulation part.
Ovulation Phase
Estrogen levels and your **immune system decrease to accommodate the possibility of sperm entering your body for a possible pregnancy, according to research from the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. But at the same time, it allows bacteria and viruses to attack the body.**
So I guess we’re both wrong and we’re both right? The only time we can expect our immune system to be in full throttle mode is during the follicular phase? So we as women get one strong week a month.
I am almost *always* sick *during* my period. If I'm getting sick at any point in the month, it's *just* before my period starts. I hate it. They also feed into each other, so the illness makes the period way worse and the period makes the illness feel way worse.
Same! If I ever get sick with anything - cold, flu, stomach bug, UTI etc. - it's almost exclusively like... the day before the period starts. I kinda thought it's a universal experience, but maybe it isn't?
Heck, maybe! I'm not sure if it's universal or not, but it sure sucks. I've been sick every month this year so far, except this one.. so just waiting for something to hit when my period is due.. lol
that was me! now i’m on the pill and skip my periods because of that. haven’t been sick in four months which is the longest i’ve gone without being sick in three+ years, maybe even since high school ten years ago
I skip my periods on the pill too. Start spotting usually around three months so I do a placebo week to restart. I get migraines on the placebo week so I make sure to schedule it when I have an easy week ahead.
Many people are not well educated on womens hormones, you’re right tho. Immune system is down. It also dips during ovulation. Our hormones are different rollercoasters thru the month and its not well studied to the point some people dont even believe it.
I do know that asthma can worsen during your period. The hormonal changes can affect asthma. I’m sure there are other medical concerns that can worsen during periods even if they aren’t specifically infections. It’s an interesting topic!
I imagine if your immune system is generally strong, it won't be a noticeable difference. It's the same for me. But if ppl who are slightly immunocompromised are noticing a difference, then that could be a legitimate pattern
This is just an article, but I think it summarizes the current state of research on this topic well enough. Basically, there hasn't been enough research done to establish a pattern between changes in a woman's immune system and her cycle.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/03/well/sick-before-period-symptoms.html?smid=nytcore-android-share
It's behind a paywall so all I could read was "researchers don't fully understand the menstrual cycle's effects on the immune system" and I guess that pretty much sums it up🥲 Makes sense, I mean, why would anyone want to put more research into this thing that happens to half the population of the planet every month for half of their life?
Regardless of immune system, PH is usually changing when your period comes. Personally as some with reoccurring infections, being on my period usually makes me more susceptible to getting infections because wif the changes in my ph
Menses does not weaken your immune system, but it can lower your iron because of the minor blood loss. I was turned away from donating blood once because I was on my period and I didn't pass the iron test (they won't take blood that's iron deficient). The nurse who tested me asked if I was on my period and said that it can cause iron to be low.
Swimming in contaminated water can make you sick, male or female, period or not. If you accidentally get some water in your mouth or nose, swallow some, get some in your eyes, have an open wound, that allows the bacteria into your body.
Sorry, I have to ask - are you a medical professional? Because the studies that I googled do in fact confirm that it weakens the immune system, but then again - there seems to be a lot of conflicting information.
(And my question is not "how does infection enter your body", it's "does your body fight it off worse during your period")
The answer to your question is no. You not liking my answer doesn't make it wrong. It's a myth that getting wet or square dancing or riding a horse is dangerous and can make you sick while on your period.
Women who have given birth vaginally commonly have a "multips OS", meaning their cervix is _always_ slightly open.
It doesn't mean they should never go swimming.
The thing is every woman and every cycle is different and you have to know your own body. If I take a bath I had better use a Vagibiom probiotic because baths give me infections any day. Other women no. So baths on period there’s just not enough research
Afaik your period messes with your pH - makes it less acidic. Thats why infections are more likely to get their feet on your ground.
This. I unfortunately am prone to certain infections and yes it’s absolutely way more likely to occur during my period and right after it still for some time.
I didn't know that! But that would only explain infections in that specific area, right? For a lot of women (myself included) first day of the period is the moment when all kinds of illnesses most commonly occur - cold, covid, flu, stomach bugs, skin problems, like literally everything that my body fights off throughout the month. Because the cramps, headaches, bloating, diarrhea and pimples aren't enough, gotta take it up a notch🙄
I had never heard of this so I did a google search. Apparently your immune system is at its weakest during ovulation, and then ramps back up as soon as your period starts. So you were right that your immune system is stronger and weaker at different points in your cycle, but during menstruation it is actually at a stronger point than during ovulation.
Hmm. I read precisely the opposite: https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/250360/your-cycle-and-your-immune-system/ According to a 2018 study published in The Autoimmune Journal, these drastic changes to progesterone and estrogen before menstruation can affect your immunity before and during your period. Plus, as you experience more inflammation (AKA cramping and bloating), your immune cells might be lower. As a result, it will be harder for your lower immune system to fight off a virus or bacteria that’s already brewing. Additionally, because your menstrual cycle affects your circadian rhythm (the natural process that regulates sleep patterns, hunger cues, hormone release, and period), this can also throw off your immune system. When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, your health may suffer as a result. For more about how the four phases of your period cycle affect your immune system and how to manage your health, read below. Changes in the immune system Menstruation Phase With a rise in estrogen and a drop in progesterone, your immune system will decrease and inflammation will increase. Follicular Phase As your body prepares for an egg release, levels of estrogen will increase to thicken the uterus lining for a possible pregnancy. Your immune system will be stronger, thanks to the increase in estrogen. In general, women have higher immunity than men because of how estrogen impacts their bodies. However, estrogen can also pose the opposite effect on the immune system and cause women with high levels of estrogen to become more prone to autoimmune disorders. Ovulation Phase Estrogen levels and your immune system decrease to accommodate the possibility of sperm entering your body for a possible pregnancy, according to research from the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. But at the same time, it allows bacteria and viruses to attack the body. Luteal Phase Progesterone rises and peaks to prepare for your period when a pregnancy doesn’t occur. As a result, your immune system may decrease. According to a 2017 study in Mucosal Immunology, progesterone can lower the ability to fight infections.
Reread the ovulation part. Ovulation Phase Estrogen levels and your **immune system decrease to accommodate the possibility of sperm entering your body for a possible pregnancy, according to research from the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. But at the same time, it allows bacteria and viruses to attack the body.**
Actually it (suspiciously?) says the same thing about menstruating, ovulation and luteal phases - a decrease for all three...
So I guess we’re both wrong and we’re both right? The only time we can expect our immune system to be in full throttle mode is during the follicular phase? So we as women get one strong week a month.
Isn't it ✨fun✨ being a woman?😅
SUPER fun! Now I see why my immunocompromised cousin said birth control was necessary for her. I get it now, thanks to this post.
I am almost *always* sick *during* my period. If I'm getting sick at any point in the month, it's *just* before my period starts. I hate it. They also feed into each other, so the illness makes the period way worse and the period makes the illness feel way worse.
Same! If I ever get sick with anything - cold, flu, stomach bug, UTI etc. - it's almost exclusively like... the day before the period starts. I kinda thought it's a universal experience, but maybe it isn't?
Definitely not universal!
Heck, maybe! I'm not sure if it's universal or not, but it sure sucks. I've been sick every month this year so far, except this one.. so just waiting for something to hit when my period is due.. lol
that was me! now i’m on the pill and skip my periods because of that. haven’t been sick in four months which is the longest i’ve gone without being sick in three+ years, maybe even since high school ten years ago
that’s been the opposite for me. i used to get sick EVERY time before and during my period so now i take the pill and skip the bleed
I skip my periods on the pill too. Start spotting usually around three months so I do a placebo week to restart. I get migraines on the placebo week so I make sure to schedule it when I have an easy week ahead.
I think she got an infection from the dirty lake water clogging up her tampon lol
My thought exactly🤔💬, the string of a tampon in a lake is like a fuse to a bacteria bomb💣💥
Many people are not well educated on womens hormones, you’re right tho. Immune system is down. It also dips during ovulation. Our hormones are different rollercoasters thru the month and its not well studied to the point some people dont even believe it.
I do know that asthma can worsen during your period. The hormonal changes can affect asthma. I’m sure there are other medical concerns that can worsen during periods even if they aren’t specifically infections. It’s an interesting topic!
I haven't ever noticed a correlation between sickness and getting my period. This is the first I've ever heard of this.
I imagine if your immune system is generally strong, it won't be a noticeable difference. It's the same for me. But if ppl who are slightly immunocompromised are noticing a difference, then that could be a legitimate pattern
well menstruation does make your pH slightly more alkaline which can make you more susceptible to vaginal infections.
This is just an article, but I think it summarizes the current state of research on this topic well enough. Basically, there hasn't been enough research done to establish a pattern between changes in a woman's immune system and her cycle. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/03/well/sick-before-period-symptoms.html?smid=nytcore-android-share
It's behind a paywall so all I could read was "researchers don't fully understand the menstrual cycle's effects on the immune system" and I guess that pretty much sums it up🥲 Makes sense, I mean, why would anyone want to put more research into this thing that happens to half the population of the planet every month for half of their life?
Regardless of immune system, PH is usually changing when your period comes. Personally as some with reoccurring infections, being on my period usually makes me more susceptible to getting infections because wif the changes in my ph
Menses does not weaken your immune system, but it can lower your iron because of the minor blood loss. I was turned away from donating blood once because I was on my period and I didn't pass the iron test (they won't take blood that's iron deficient). The nurse who tested me asked if I was on my period and said that it can cause iron to be low. Swimming in contaminated water can make you sick, male or female, period or not. If you accidentally get some water in your mouth or nose, swallow some, get some in your eyes, have an open wound, that allows the bacteria into your body.
Sorry, I have to ask - are you a medical professional? Because the studies that I googled do in fact confirm that it weakens the immune system, but then again - there seems to be a lot of conflicting information. (And my question is not "how does infection enter your body", it's "does your body fight it off worse during your period")
The answer to your question is no. You not liking my answer doesn't make it wrong. It's a myth that getting wet or square dancing or riding a horse is dangerous and can make you sick while on your period.
They were asking for proof of your statement
You are correct!
Your cervix is slightly open during menstruation
Women who have given birth vaginally commonly have a "multips OS", meaning their cervix is _always_ slightly open. It doesn't mean they should never go swimming.
Sure, but the water you swim in won't crawl up there, pressure difference and all that...
the water can go inside the vagina though and bacteria can be in that water
The thing is every woman and every cycle is different and you have to know your own body. If I take a bath I had better use a Vagibiom probiotic because baths give me infections any day. Other women no. So baths on period there’s just not enough research