 |
IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Surviving Menstrual Discomfort
by Christy Brownlee, 01.17.02
If you're a girl who has gone through puberty, then you're probably already experiencing what can be one of adulthood's more uncomfortable features — your period. Maybe you don't think your period is such a big deal — you just might be one of the lucky ones who go through "that time of the month" with relative ease. However, at some point, almost every woman experiences at least one symptom of menstrual discomfort.
The symptoms of menstrual discomfort can include cramps, bloating, mood swings, and many more. They can range from being extremely mild and almost unnoticeable to being practically debilitating while a woman has her period.
Like many parts of adulthood, the symptoms of menstrual discomfort are often unavoidable. But there are tricks you can learn to keep discomfort at a minimum. Read on to learn what you can do to keep feeling good all month long!
Crushing Those Cramps
Menstrual cramps actually serve a useful purpose. Your uterus is squeezing hard to remove its blood-filled lining in a hurry — those cramps are actually making your period go by faster! But that may be the last thing you want to hear when you're feeling the pain they can cause.
Many women run straight for the medicine cabinet when cramps come on. Over-the-counter painkilling drugs, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can relax muscles and dull pain. If your discomfort is too much and these drugs don't help, you may want to ask your clinician about prescription pain relievers.
Make sure you carefully follow all the directions that come with medication. Don't take more than the maximum dosage. It won't help cramps go away faster, and it could be dangerous.
If you don't want to take medicine, or you want some relief while waiting for medicine to kick in, try putting a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen. Having someone massage your lower back might help. Some women masturbate because they know that orgasms relax the uterus and release natural painkillers called endorphins into the bloodstream.
Beating the Bloat
Hormones released in your body during your period can cause you to retain water. This means that instead of releasing most of the water that you take in through urination like you usually do, your body decides to hold on to more water than normal. Your body will feel bigger than usual, especially around your breasts, abdomen, hips, and thighs.
You could feel bloated because of this water retention — your clothes might feel snugger, you could feel full a lot faster when you eat, and the scale might read a few pounds heavier.
Although it might seem strange, the best way to avoid bloating is to keep drinking lots of water. Your body will hold on to water harder if there aren't enough fluids coming in. Also, you might crave foods high in salt and sugar during your period, but do your best not to give in. Both of these can cause the cells in your body to take up extra fluid.
If you're still feeling bloated, you might want to try taking a diuretic. Diuretics are drugs that cause your body to release extra fluid, and you can find them at drugstores and health food stores. Multisymptom, period pain relievers, like Pamprin or Premsyn PMS also contain diuretics and can be a good choice if you want medicine to relieve cramps as well.
Mashing Mood Swings
It's not your imagination — everything really is driving you crazy during your period. Your emotions could feel like they're out of control. You might be smiling one minute and bawling your eyes out the next.
Relax, and take a deep breath. Just knowing that your period could be affecting your emotions might help you keep them in check. Try to avoid unnecessary stress whenever you can during your period, and steer clear of people and situations that you know could trigger your emotions.
Don't skip meals — keeping blood sugar levels constant can level out your emotions. Eating complex carbohydrates like spaghetti, potatoes, and bread can also brighten your mood. These foods have been shown to release natural antidepressants in the brain, an effect which could provide a boost if you're feeling down.
The Rest of the Month
Keeping your body in good shape throughout your entire menstrual cycle can help keep menstrual discomfort under control. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains throughout the month. Take a multivitamin supplement to make sure you're getting everything you need. And exercise regularly.
Some symptoms of menstrual discomfort may be too much for you to handle alone. Ask your doctor for help if you experience extreme cramps, depression, very heavy blood flow, weakness, or any symptom that disrupts your daily life during your period. She or he can prescribe a treatment to keep your symptoms under control. |
|
|
|
Printable Version
Email this page