PMS: what is it and how do I get rid of it?
About a week before your period, do you regularly feel… off? Not yourself? For example, one minute you're snapping at your best mate, the next minute you're crying for no reason, or greedily gobbling down chocolate. Welcome to PMS.
Called premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual tension, most girls will feel some symptoms before getting their period. These include (but aren't limited to):
• Food cravings
• Headache
• Mood swings
• Tender breasts
• Tiredness
• Spots
• Stomach cramps
What causes PMS?
During the build-up to your period, the level of hormones in your body changes. During the second half of your cycle, your ovaries produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. While experts don't know exactly what causes PMS, it's believed that it may be due to the hormonally changes
What doesn't cause PMS is stress, but stress can make the symptoms of PMS
worse.
What can help?
It's good to remember that once your period starts, your PMS symptoms will stop. But that may be of little comfort when you're in the middle of a PMS meltdown.
Though you may really not feel like it, exercise can do a lot to help alleviate PMS. Push yourself to go for a brisk walk, for example. You'll be surprised by how much exercise helps.
Additionally, eating healthy foods (the dreaded fruits and vegetables!) before and during your period may also make a positive difference.
Make sure to get your eight hours of sleep a night for relief. Other things to try: hot water bottles, warm baths, herbal tea, and over-the-counter medication like paracetamol or something specifically to relieve PMS (ask your parents before taking meds).
However, if you feel your symptoms are causing you a lot of pain and/or distress then it’s best to contact your GP or doctor.
Your doctor may give you a special diet to follow or special prescription medication to take each month.
Another possibility is a severe form of PMS called Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Estimated to afflict 3% to 8% of women, PMDD can be easily treated if diagnosed by your doctor.
So don't suffer in silence – go get it checked out.