Every month, females suffer from various side effects and symptoms that are associated with their menstrual cycles. During each menstrual cycle, your body prepares for pregnancy and if you don’t get pregnant, a period accompanied by its side effects occurs. The common symptoms and signs that are associated with your periods include bloating, fatigue, menstrual cramps, mood swings, muscle aches and headaches. Fever of low grade is also one of the symptoms that may occur during your periods.

Can You Have Low Grade Fever with Period?

Yes. Fever associated with menses can result due to the following conditions:

Toxic Shock Syndrome

TSS or toxic shock syndrome is a rare medical condition that is life threatening and can be caused due to infection with some bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus. Though, TSS can occur due to various underlying causes, it is primarily associated with using tampons. Even the insert that comes with a package of tampons warns about this medical condition.

Symptoms of TSS are vomiting and nausea, low blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, headache, muscle ache, seizures and red mouth, eyes and throat. Fever is another major symptom of TSS.

Since TSS is a life threatening illness that can result in kidney failure, shock and even death quickly and as it has been linked to using tampons, every female should be aware of TSS. To prevent the occurrence of TSS, tampons that are of least absorbency level should be used; they should be changed frequently (ideally every few hours and they should never be left for more than 8 hours) or you should opt for menstrual cups or sanitary pads instead of tampons.

You should not be scared of TSS or tampons as the tampons that are sold in the USA currently do not use materials that cause TSS. However, you should be aware of the condition and if you have developed a symptom of sudden high temperature, especially after the use of tampons, you should think of TSS, particularly if you have other associated symptoms as well, and should get emergency care immediately.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is another cause of low grade fever with period. It is a medical illness in which the endometrium (the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus) is present in other locations, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix. These tissues also respond to hormones regulating the menstrual cycle along with the endometrium. The main complications due to endometriosis are pain and cyst formation associated with infertility.

Females who have endometriosis may suffer from various symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting and low grade fever during and before periods. If you develop such symptoms, you should visit your physician for a complete evaluation.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

PID or pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the reproductive system of a female and if left untreated, it can result in infertility and chronic pain in abdomen. It is primarily caused due to sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia; however, it may also be caused due to other infections, including those that may occur after a D&C or childbirth or after a surgery of the reproductive tract.

The major symptom of PID is pain in abdomen that can range from very mild to very severe. Other symptoms include on and off vomiting and nausea associated with menstrual irregularities such as bleeding between menses. Low grade fever with period is also one of the symptoms of PID.

You should go for regular testing for STDs as in the initial stages, the STDs that cause PID can be treated with antibiotics. However, in the later stages, treatment is less successful and becomes more complicated.

PMS Fever

It is a type of acute fever that regularly recurs either during some menstrual cycles or before each menses. It is a low grade fever which is particularly present at night. It may be associated with night sweats. There are various ways to reduce the fever present before period.

PMS fevers may be reduced by avoiding ingestion of certain foods such as coffee, alcohol and other acidic foods. PMS fever can also be reduced by following a routine to relax before going to bed such as by doing mild exercise such as walking. You can also reduce the feeling of fever by drinking cool mint tea and cucumber water and by eating plenty of vegetables.

Familial Mediterranean Fever

FMF or familial Mediterranean fever is also an unlikely possibility for causing low grade fever with period. FMF is a hereditary disorder that is very rare and is characterized by occurrence of repeated inflammation and fevers. It specifically affects individuals whose origin is around Mediterranean Sea.

It is caused by a mutation in a gene that forms proteins, which causes inflammation. The symptoms of FMF are episodes of fever associated with arthritis, abdominal inflammation, and skin rash and/or chest/lung inflammation. Attacks of symptoms may be followed by periods of remissions that may last for weeks, months or even several years.

What Should Be Done If You Have Fever with Menses?

It is quite possible that your period and fever are not related. For instance, if you have fever due to flu and have your period during this time, there is no need to panic. However, if your fever is associated with your menses and you have additional symptoms mentioned above, you should immediately see your physician.