Overview
Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever, sometimes called catamenial fever or cyclic fever linked to menstruation, is a rare condition in which a person experiences recurring episodes of fever that follow the rhythm of their menstrual cycle. This means the fevers tend to appear at predictable times each month, often around ovulation or just before or during the menstrual period, and then go away on their own until the next cycle. During a fever episode, the body temperature rises noticeably and may be accompanied by chills, fatigue, body aches, and sometimes abdominal or pelvic pain. Because the fevers come and go in a regular pattern tied to hormonal changes, many people spend years being evaluated for infections or other causes before the correct diagnosis is made. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve an abnormal immune response triggered by hormonal fluctuations — particularly changes in estrogen and progesterone. Treatment is focused on managing symptoms and, in some cases, suppressing ovulation using hormonal therapies to break the cycle of fevers. With the right diagnosis and management, many people see a significant improvement in their quality of life.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Recurring fever that follows a monthly patternChills and shivering during fever episodesFatigue and low energy during episodesBody aches and muscle painAbdominal or pelvic painHeadache during fever episodesSweating as the fever breaksNausea during episodesEpisodes that resolve on their own within a few daysPredictable timing of symptoms linked to the menstrual cycle
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever.
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Caregiver Resources
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How can I confirm that my fevers are truly linked to my menstrual cycle and not caused by an infection or other condition?,What hormonal treatments are available to suppress ovulation, and which would be best for me?,How long will I need to stay on hormonal therapy, and what happens if I want to become pregnant?,Are there any tests I should have done regularly to monitor my health while on treatment?,What should I do if a fever episode feels more severe than usual or does not go away on its own?,Are there any specialists or centers with experience in this rare condition that you can refer me to?,Is there any ongoing research or clinical trials I could participate in?
Common questions about Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever
What is Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever?
Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever, sometimes called catamenial fever or cyclic fever linked to menstruation, is a rare condition in which a person experiences recurring episodes of fever that follow the rhythm of their menstrual cycle. This means the fevers tend to appear at predictable times each month, often around ovulation or just before or during the menstrual period, and then go away on their own until the next cycle. During a fever episode, the body temperature rises noticeably and may be accompanied by chills, fatigue, body aches, and sometimes abdominal or pelvic pain. Because
How is Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever inherited?
Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever typically begin?
Typical onset of Menstrual cycle-dependent periodic fever is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.