What is PMS?
PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome, is the name given to a number of symptoms that occur around the time of menstruation. The symptoms vary greatly from woman to woman ranging from mild to severe, which can result in a debilitating couple of days every month.
PMS is linked to the change of hormones during the menstrual cycle. It is not necessarily linked to stress or psychological issues, although, these can make it worse. Symptoms can also vary from one month to another.
Out of your mind!
It's hard to understand until it's happened to you but with PMS, you feel like you are losing control. You react in a way that seems completely illogical to your situation; you can see it happening yet you fail to take charge of your body, resulting in uncharacteristic behaviour that leaves you embarrassed and sheepish for the spectacle you've caused.
Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Tearfulness
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Breast tenderness
- Weight gain
- Water retention
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Migraine
- Cramps
- Constipation
- Backache
- Cravings
- Increase of appetite
Controlling PMS
Since there is such a wide range of symptoms, it is very difficult to pin down a single method of prevention or control. There is no cure for PMS but many women have found that by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, they have fewer symptoms, if at all.
Ideas on diet control
- Cut back on fats and sugars and eat more complex carbohydrates (whole grain bread, pasta and cereals), fibre and protein.
- Avoid caffeine.
- Avoid salt to reduce bloating and fluid retention.
- If alcohol makes you depressed, cut back during this time.
- Eat smaller meals more regularly to avoid feeling bloated.
- Gentle exercise has been known to relieve period pain.
- Increase your fruit and vegetable intake.
- Keep your bowel movements as regular as possible.
- Catch up on your beauty sleep and get a full eight hours.
You are unique
You are a unique, wonderful being and you need to treat yourself in such a way. Observe your body changing through the month and, without judging yourself, begin to pick up your own specific PMS symptoms. It could take a few months to pick up on your symptom trends, so be patient.
- Take note when and how your mood changes (observe other's reactions to you, as well.)
- Observe your eating and exercising habits.
- Be aware of how your body image alters and record any variations.
- List your specific symptoms.
- Formulate a strategy on how to combat each symptom. For example, if you feel bloated at a certain time of the month, cut down on salt and sugar just before you reach those days.
Get to know yourself; experiment and be creative in your approach and eventually you'll rise above your PMS!
Home