I know that some women get fevers as a period symptom but are high fevers normal?

These symptoms are new. The last two periods have had me chilled, feverish and with a temperature of up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

I don’t use tampons, I’m not sexually active and I am in pretty good shape. 

Is there anything I can do?

– Patrice

Dear Patrice,

I don’t know what this is. Your Doctor will probably run some blood tests to see what’s going on. They may want to run them at different stages of your menstrual cycle. This is not like the expected menopausal symptoms, either.

A fever (raised temperature) to that level suggests something else is going on. So, make an appointment to see them, this week – that’s important.

Putting it off, as so many of us tend to do, could mean that an easily treatable condition, now, has a chance to take deeper hold of you.

The extended ‘worry time’ is not good, either – and nobody needs that stress! There is more than enough worry in the world today. You don’t have to add to it when there’s something simple that you can do to minimise it.

Being frightened is not an option. This is your health we are talking about. Your immune system is shouting for a little bit of help at the moment. Fear is not a good enough excuse, I’m afraid. Fear merely breeds fear!

Good luck. I hope there’s nothing serious underlying this. I suggest you see them promptly and don’t put this off for a future date.

If you’ve never read this book – it may help you to lose your worry factor – “Feel the fear and do it anyway”.