Post-Menstrual Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Manage

What Is Post-Menstrual Syndrome?

Post-menstrual syndrome is the experiencing of a group of symptoms at the end of menstruation. An overwhelming majority of research focuses on the experiences women have leading up to menstruation, also known as pre-menstruation, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or the luteal phase in a woman’s cycle. Estrogen surplus and progesterone deficiency have been two of the main hormonal activities that have previously explained premenstrual syndrome or “PMS.”¹

Since fluctuations in hormonal activity are present throughout all phases of the menstrual cycle, it makes sense that women may experience symptoms at the conclusion of menstruation as well as before and during menstruation.

Post-Menstrual Syndrome Vs Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome is defined as the symptoms experienced before menstruation, such as increased anxiety before a period starts, while post-menstrual syndrome is defined as symptoms that occur for the few days following menstruation.

Menstrual Cycle Phases

The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases:²

1. Menstrual phase
2. Follicular phase
3. Luteal phase

Research has investigated fluctuations that occur for women during each of these phases. For example, a study which examined physical strength at different times during the menstrual phase found that strength was strongest during the follicular phase, and decreased during the menstrual and luteal phases, which surround the experience of menstruation. These findings make sense in terms of explaining why women may feel more fatigued leading up to menstruation as well as during and shortly after menstruation.

Symptoms of Post-Menstrual Syndrome

There are some symptoms that have been found to occur in women the few days following menstruation.

Symptoms of post-menstrual syndrome include:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Joint pain
• Stomach pain
• Headaches
• Pain during sex
• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Mood swings

How Long Does Post-Menstrual Syndrome Last?

Post-menstrual syndrome is believed to last for one to two days on average, in other words, it is the short period of time following the conclusion of menstruation. This would also be the transitional time between the menstrual and follicular phase of the cycle.

What Causes Post-Menstrual Syndrome?

Hormonal fluctuations after menstruation are likely the cause of post-menstrual syndrome. Furthermore, circumstantial factors, related to an individual’s experience of menstruation, may also contribute to these symptoms, such as nutritional deficiencies, stress, and other underlying medical conditions. It is important to remember that these experiences are unique to each individual who is experiencing them and can vary from person to person.

Is Post-Menstrual Syndrome Common?

Due to a lack of research conducted on post-menstrual syndrome compared to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), it is difficult to obtain an accurate picture of how many women are affected by symptoms that occur shortly after the end of menstruation. The prevalence of PMS is believed to be around 30-40% in women of reproductive age.³ Further research may shed light on the understudied facets of the female reproductive cycle.

Impact of Post-Menstrual Syndrome

Post-menstrual syndrome has the potential to impact a person’s daily life. The symptoms that have been reported to exist, such as anxiety and other mood-related implications certainly make completing tasks of daily living more difficult. Furthermore, the physical experiences of pain associated with the menstrual cycle in all its phases are also likely to impact the ability to complete even mundane tasks.

How to Manage Post-Menstrual Syndrome

There are various strategies for managing post-menstrual syndrome, including medical treatments, natural remedies, and lifestyle modifications.

Here are 8 ways to manage post-menstrual syndrome:

1. Medication

You may be able to find over-the-counter and prescription medications that can alleviate specific symptoms of post-menstrual syndrome. Medications that focus on pain relief will likely be recommended.

2. Hormonal Treatments

Talking with your primary care provider about hormonal treatments that may help in balancing hormones during the time of post-menstruation can be helpful.

3. Changes to Diet

Nutrition and dietary changes that can support hormonal balance and overall well-being may be an important factor to consider in terms of treatment options.

4. Stress Management Techniques

Effective stress management techniques can be beneficial for individuals with post-menstrual syndrome. One example is maintaining a work/life balance and having a flexible work schedule that can accommodate high pain days or days where difficulties associated with post-menstrual syndrome are elevated. If at all possible, avoid working for companies who do not have policies that allow for flexible scheduling or maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

5. Daily Exercise

Regular exercise can be helpful in managing symptoms and improving overall health. Being active is one preventative method in terms of managing symptoms of many chronic health issues.

6. Daily Tracking

Learning about and tracking your menstrual cycles to understand your body better and track symptoms can be a helpful way to reduce the stress associated with these symptoms as well as being helpful in developing preventive measures.

7. Get Frequent Rest

Getting frequent rest or taking time off from work and other responsibilities when dealing with post-menstrual syndrome symptoms is a good way to reduce the intensity and severity of this experience. Remember that it is important to say no to things that feel too much or overwhelming during this time.

8. Ask For Support

It can be helpful to ask for support from a trusted loved one or friend when going through these difficult times. Sometimes just going to the grocery store can feel like too much on high pain or high distress days. Be sure to lean on those who have the ability and capacity to be there for you when needed.

When to See a Doctor for Post-Menstrual Syndrome

It is important to recognize symptoms that warrant medical attention, such as severe pain or prolonged mood disturbances. If you find yourself in a situation where these things apply to you, it may be time to seek medical help. Developing a preventative plan around care and using self-education to better understand symptoms are also useful strategies in addition to seeking medical attention.

Is Post-Menstrual Syndrome Diagnosable?

Post-menstrual syndrome is not currently recognized as an official diagnosis. With most mental health and health diagnoses, raised awareness around an issue will increase the likelihood of it being recognized on a greater scale in the future. The more research and discussion there is around women’s reproductive health, and the less stigma that lies around discussing it, the more likely it is that these experiences will be formally recognized by the larger healthcare systems that have an unfortunate amount of power over determining outcomes associated with health and wellbeing.

When to Seek Professional Support

If symptoms associated with reproductive health are causing chronic problems at home, at work, in relationships or other important areas of life, it can also be helpful to find a therapist who specializes in those concerns. For example, an online therapist directory or online therapy platform can be helpful. If considering prescriptions for managing anxiety or depression associated with reproductive health, online psychiatrist options can be a good choice for finding medication management.