Period pain can be a right... pain, can't it? Premenstrual symptoms occur in 95% of all women of reproductive age.
Health on Female First
And severe, debilitating symptoms (PMS) occur in about 5% of those women.The cause is unknown, but hormonal and other factors contribute, such as:
- Low levels of vitamins and minerals
- Eating a lot of salty foods
- Drinking alcohol and caffeine
A woman has PMS if she complains of recurrent psychological or physical symptoms occurring specifically during the latter phase of the menstrual cycle. These symptoms include:
- depression and anxiety;
- mood swings;
- poor concentration;
- fatigue;
- food craving or increased appetite;
- sleep disturbance;
- feeling out of control or overwhelmed;
- poor coordination;
- headache;
- aches and cramps;
- swelling and bloating;
- weight gain;
- Breast tenderness.
Some lifestyle changes may help you feel better:
- Exercise- Exercise is the last thing you want to do when you are feeling lethargic and premenstrual, but regular moderate exercise will improve your mood and help with bloating.
- Your diet- Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid salt, sugary foods, caffeine, and alcohol- especially when you’re having PMS symptoms.
- Sleep- It’s difficult to sleep just before and during your period, as PMS often causes insomnia, but sleep will help you to feel better- try to get a good 7 hours.
- Stress- Women who reported high levels of stress in the two weeks before they got their period were two to three times more likely to experience depression, sadness, and crying spells as well as physical PMS symptoms. Find healthy ways to cope with stress.
- Smoking- smoking has been found to affect different hormones and worsen PMS, so avoid smoking to ease your symptoms.
Women’s health expert Dr Catherine Hood notes: "PMS can affect most women at some time during their childbearing years and it can be a great help to find a product which is able to help relieve the symptoms you are suffering and also to help you feel you are doing something to win back a little control.
“The Agnus Castus in Kira PMS Relief is carefully select and has been cultivated in the optimum conditions, meeting strict growing criteria. This high degree of care ensures the berries of the plants are harvested at their absolute peak of ripeness and produce the highest yield of active ingredient.”
Tagged in Health Women's Health