Scarleteen

so, a couple months ago i was at a summer camp for photography, and i was editing some photos, but i started to feel actually nauseous when i turned up the clarity or texture on the photos too much. then i got an awful hot flash even though the doors were open and the room was at a good temperature. i had to go sit outside and almost threw up. after sitting outside for a couple minutes i got cold and went back inside, drank some yogurt smoothie i had, and it immediately happened again. i grabbed my stuff and left early, but when i got home it didn’t get any better, in fact it got worse. i was really nauseous, my stomach hurt, i was bloated, and i had a bad headache. i could only stomach water and when i finally couldn’t keep it down and threw up, i finally started to feel a bit better. all i had eaten that day was a beef stick, i was going to eat more when i got home but even the thought of eating made me nauseous. then, last month, i was watching a show which had some sexual assault in that episode. usually, i would be grossed out, yeah, but not like i’m actually going to throw up kind of grossed out. but this time, i couldn’t get through the episode. i got really nauseous, got a hot flash, and my headache got worse. later, i looked into when those happened, and i noticed they both happened around the same time during my luteal phase. i also thought back to a while ago when my parents were cleaning and i had to stay in my room because the smell of the cleaning stuff (which usually doesn’t bother me) was making me nauseous and giving me a headache, but once i got outside i was fine. it was long enough ago that i have no idea where i was in my cycle, but can being in your luteal phase make you more sensitive to smells and such?

Hi axolotlperson! Thanks for sharing your concerns, and I'm so sorry for what you're currently experiencing.

As far as research is concerned, yes, being in your luteal phase can make you more sensitive, physically and mentally. (I can share some links if you'd like to read them!) It's why "premenstrual syndrome" is a thing, since as you probably have known, it is the phase that directly precedes the new menstruation cycle. With the uncomfortable experience of watching a sexual assault scene in mind, it's completely likely your sensory sensitivities are heightened more than usual; it's not just a response to something potentially traumatizing, but also a result of the shift in your hormones (specifically, the increase in your progesterone).

From your question, it seems like you're already aware of maintaining a balanced diet throughout your menstrual cycle. I hope it's possible for you to keep this up--and please stay hydrated! Additionally, do keep in mind that the predictions in a menstrual calendar app (if you keep track of your cycle using one) may not be the most accurate unless you take in your body temperature. To learn why (and how), our very own article on tracking your period using the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) can be your first guide.

Take care, as always! I hope this response has been helpful, and let me know if you have anything else you'd like to discuss. ^_^

thank you! could you share those links about the luteal phase? i’d love to know more about it

No problem! Here they are. Keep in mind that some of these research articles don't use inclusive language, but it should apply to most people with cycles:

• Psychiatric Symptoms Across the Menstrual Cycle in Adult Women: A Comprehensive Review (2022)

• Pre-menstrual Syndrome: A Review (2012)

• Impact of nutritional diet therapy on premenstrual syndrome (2023)