How to stop feeling sick on your period

Period-related nausea can accompany cramping because menstrual chemicals can affect the bowel and the brain areas involved in nausea. Pain, tiredness, dehydration, or going without food may intensify the sensation. Nausea that follows the same cycle pattern may settle as bleeding and cramps ease, but it can also have another cause such as Acid Reflux, Food Poisoning, or Gastroenteritis.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Choose plain foods such as toast, rice, bananas, soup, or crackers, and avoid large, greasy, or strongly scented meals while you feel queasy. Rest in a cool, quiet place and place a warm pack over the lower abdomen for cramps. If you normally use an over-the-counter pain medicine, follow its label and check that it is suitable for you; some medicines can irritate the stomach. Keep a diary of cycle days, pain, vomiting, food, and medicines so a clinician can spot a pattern.

Arrange medical advice if nausea is new, severe, happens outside your period, keeps returning, or prevents normal eating and drinking. Seek urgent care for repeated vomiting, fainting, confusion, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, fever, blood in vomit or stool, yellowing of the skin, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine and marked dizziness.

Could my cramps, medicines, or another stomach condition be contributing? What anti-nausea or pain options fit my health history? Should I keep a symptom and cycle diary, and which changes would require an examination?