Why do you experience nausea before and during your period?

As women, we know how much these nauseas and digestive discomforts can be unsettling for your comfort and health in the days just before your period. Are you experiencing nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, a few days before the start of your menstrual cycle? This is often premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a common hormonal disorder that affects a large proportion of women of childbearing age, generally in the 7 to 10 days preceding menstruation.

PMS manifests through various symptoms: fatigue, headaches, bloating and digestive discomforts… and sometimes these nauseas and stomach complaints that ease once your period arrives.

During the luteal phase, progesterone and oestrogen influence digestion, while uterine prostaglandins intensify painful contractions and slow down bowel transit. On top of this, serotonin fluctuations or a magnesium deficiency can intensify nausea, vomiting and other discomforts. Some women also experience breast tenderness or suffer from menstrual migraines triggered by the hormonal changes of the cycle, which increase stress and digestive discomfort. If you recognise yourself in this situation, our natural solutions for premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhoea and menstrual pain may help ease these discomforts.

Unlike pregnancy nausea, PMS nausea remains temporary and linked to the menstrual cycle and hormonal fluctuations. However, if this nausea and vomiting become very intense and disrupt your daily life, this is referred to as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Menstrual pain and painful uterine contractions, often referred to as dysmenorrhoea, may also suggest endometriosis. In this case, this gynaecological condition directly influences your digestion and digestive comfort, and it is essential to consult a doctor to identify the causes and explore appropriate solutions.

Your digestive system responds to the hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle. Oestrogen and progesterone modulate bowel motility and stomach sensitivity.

• During the luteal phase, progesterone dominates and slows bowel transit: you may experience constipation, bloating, gas and other digestive discomforts.
• After ovulation and with the arrival of your period, the hormonal drop and the release of uterine prostaglandins cause painful contractions and speed up bowel transit, which can trigger intestinal cramps, diarrhoea and digestive discomfort. In addition, a bloated stomach during your period is common due to these hormonal changes and the associated stress.

It should be noted, however, that certain "excess" prostaglandins, released during dysmenorrhoea, can travel throughout the body and directly affect the stomach, causing severe nausea and sometimes vomiting. These hormonal compounds are one of the main causes of the painful and digestive symptoms that accompany painful periods.

These hormonal variations also influence your gut microbiome and the balance of your digestive system: an imbalance can amplify menstrual symptoms, nausea and other digestive discomforts. A suitable diet (fibre, anti-inflammatory foods) and a healthy lifestyle — stress management, gentle physical activity — are effective natural approaches to ease these discomforts and improve your comfort.

Before turning to medication or hormonal support, several natural approaches may help ease your nausea and digestive discomforts:

• Ginger: as an infusion or fresh, its anti-inflammatory and gastro-intestinal properties support digestion, ease nausea and improve digestive comfort.

• Lemon balm: relaxing by nature, it soothes the digestive system, helps ease uterine cramps and assists in calming premenstrual stress.

• Heat: place a warm hot-water bottle on your lower abdomen to relax the uterine muscles, ease painful contractions and soothe nausea.

• Hydration and light meals: drink at least 1.5 L of water per day and opt for easily digestible foods (rice, cooked vegetables, fibre-rich fruits) to support your digestion throughout your cycle.

• Gentle physical activity: a simple walk or a few stretches promote circulation, reduce stress and improve both digestive and uterine comfort.

Every woman is different: do not hesitate to consult a doctor or healthcare professional for personalised advice, particularly in cases of dysmenorrhoea, suspected endometriosis or hormonal imbalances.

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Food supplement: does not replace a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional.

In the vast majority of cases, nausea and other menstrual symptoms remain mild. However, certain warning signs and persistent menstrual pain should prompt you to seek medical advice:

• Very intense menstrual pain (acute dysmenorrhoea) accompanied by frequent nausea and vomiting.

• Painful or digestive symptoms that worsen or persistently disrupt your comfort and daily life.

• Heavy, irregular or prolonged menstrual bleeding lasting more than 7 days.

• Appearance of new and unusual symptoms, whether digestive or uterine, more severe than usual.

• Persistent fatigue associated with sleep disturbances, recurring dizziness or excessive stress, which may be linked to a hormonal imbalance.

Personalised medical follow-up helps identify the underlying causes and explore the most suitable solutions for your situation. Your health and comfort are our priority.