1.) Realize that it's OK to have PMS symptoms. It's perfectly normal and healthy for a woman!
2.) Yeah, PMS is R...E...A...L!!! Don't let that pesky friend or family member tell you that you're just making it up to get attention. They've obviously never experienced PMS before and they're probably a man.
3.) If you get overwhelmed by emotions, it's OK!! Just be aware that it's your hormones making you feel so angry that you want to pop everyone's head off like a pimple. Realize that these feelings are temporary and they will go away when your period is over!
4.) Go away by yourself for a little while. Take a hot bath, read a book in a quiet room, work out in the gym. Just get away from everyone! See? That way, nobody can piss you off!
5.) For cramps, stop all alcohol, caffiene, salt, and sugar until your period is over. Drink Red Raspberry leaf tea with Rose Hip leaves. This has been a ancient remedy for uterus contractions and cramps for generations.
6.) For fatigue: Exercise actually helps if you can muster the strength to get up off the couch. (THIS IS HARD!!) Trust me, it can really help. Also, take an extra multivitamin to boost your energy and replace all that iron you're losing in the blood.
7.) For headaches: Ice packs on the head help me, as well as some peace and quiet and Tylenol!
8.) Accept that periods are a normal and healthy occurrance. To fight the hormones taking over your body every month is just going to make it worse for you mentally and physically. Learn to let go of your control and just let your body do what it needs to do!
9.) For all the above items that require you to spend time away from your kids: It's ok to need mommy time away from them once in a while. Get a family member or spouse to look after them for at least an hour so that you can recharge and get your PMS under control.
10.) Ask your husband or partner to please understand that each month you go through PMS you may need some emotional and physical support during this time -- not unlike when you are pregnant! Explain ahead of time (before the raging mad woman comes out) that you may say and do things that seem angry or hateful. Remind them to please know that it is nothing personal. Say, "I am just being a woman and it is natural for my hormones to make me feel these things. I apologize ahead of time for anything like that that may happen." Ask your partner to say or do certain things like give you a hug when you get angry or say things like, "I'm so sorry that you are going through this right now and I know that I could never imagine what you are experiencing. But, don't worry. These feelings will go away soon and we'll get through them together."
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4 and 6 seem pretty useful to me :) it would be really cool if you had some sources for this. For example #5 says stopping all alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and salt consumption will help with cramp. I think it would be interesting to see the research on that, and why ceasing the consumption of those things helps with cramping.
ReplyDeleteGreat point, Abi.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Mayo Clinic's website, "Some PMS symptoms have been linked to low levels of vitamins and minerals. Other possible contributors to PMS include eating a lot of salty foods, which may cause fluid retention, and drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which may cause mood and energy level disturbances."
The source that they cite for this information can be found at The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: http://www.acog.org/