It's inevitable; every girl will get it, and every mature woman will be glad to get rid of it. A woman's menstrual cycle is a very difficult process to deal with. We need to handle unexpected mood swings, crying fits, cramps, back aches, bloating and constant bathroom trips; all while juggling the same challenging feats of everyday life. Although a very personal and often graphic topic, the woman's time of the month doesn't nearly get as much attention as it should. In this article I will be providing you with information on how to combat most of these side effects, and a few other bits of information that will hopefully make your 7-14 days a little bit more bearable.
The mood swings. I know you have been there- instead of your usual sunny side up order, your boyfriend has accidentally made you over easy eggs- and the world is suddenly coming to a complete end. In order to battle mood swings at this time, taking the proper vitamins, minerals, and herbs is essential. Science has proven that the consumption of Calcium (1,000-1,500 IU per day), Magnesium (325-750mg per day) and St.John's Wart (300mg per day) is very effective at suppressing PMS-induced mood swings. Other vitamins and minerals that have been suggested to me by other women to help curb mood swings include Vitamin B6, Vitamin B50, Zinc, and Vitamin E. Try these different supplements out and see which one works best for you.
The bloating. Unfortunately, many women seem to inflate when their time of the month rolls around, and it can be very frustrating and embarrassing. In order to minimize bloating around this time, avoid all sodium. Not only have a found this countless times in my research on the topic, but almost every woman I interviewed on the subject suggested this to me. Sodium naturally makes the body retain water, so this is a definite no-no. Other ways to avoid bloating is to drink lots of water in order to encourage your body to release all the water retention it gained. This is the same concept as 'fighting fire with fire'. Also, consuming lots of fiber is a great option as well. Since fiber naturally binds to estrogen, it makes it a lot easier for our bodies to release the extra hormone (which essentially causes all of these wonderful problems!).
The cramps. Ah yes, the notorious cramping. This area is probably one of the worst for most of you ladies. In order to combat cramps, both in the lower abdomen region and other areas such as the lower back or even legs, there are several various ways we can go about this. In my research, it is noted in all areas that eating clean is the biggest contender for cramp-prevention. I myself try to avoid all processed, sugary, salty, and fatty foods around this time, and it helps a ton. Other ways to combat cramping is to take a pain killer every 4-6 hours once you notice the cramping. I have also had women recommend to me the use of a hot water bottle or pack on the lower abdomen to reduce the pain, as well as to lie in different positions. About 50% of my research showed that exercise can reduce cramps; the other 50 showed that it made them worse. Try it out! Another thing to note, both from scientific research as well as from my interviews, sexual intercourse was specifically mentioned to ease cramping. The last resort from all my research is to distract yourself either by watching TV, playing a computer game, or by simply just sleeping. If the pain is severe enough, these options may be the best you've got!
Hopefully I have covered most of these solutions in order to help you ladies ease the hardships! Keep in mind that each person is different, and some of these methods may work better than others. If anyone has any advice or tips to share, please feel free to share in a comment below! Thanks so much everyone!
Luck & Love,
Kaylee Slater
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