Period Problems

Monthly periods aren’t just nuisances for many women. In many cases periods can be accompanied by pain including headaches, backaches, cramps and PMS. Many women dread their monthly period because they know that it could mean pain.

There are other unpleasant symptoms associated with periods including mood swings, constipation and fatigue. Many women aren’t able to cope with daily activities or stress because of their monthly period.

A woman can usually tell if these symptoms are period related because they occur right before the period. The standard name for these symptoms is premenstrual symptom and they can very in strength or degree. Fortunately there are some things that women can do to avoid or lesson such symptoms.

Avoiding PMS

One thing that women can do to avoid PMS or at least lesson the pain and discomfort associated with it is to watch their diet. The diet can affect PMS because menstruation is caused by hormones. It’s long been known that the foods you eat can affect the levels of hormones in your body.

Eating some kinds of foods including processed foods could make PMS more likely by adding hormones to the diet. Reducing the amount of processed foods eaten and increasing consumption of natural fruits and vegetables could also combat PMS.

Increasing consumption of some vitamins, notably Vitamin E could also have an effect on PMS. Taking vitamin E supplements or eating more foods rich in vitamin E could help a woman avoid PMS.

Increasing magnesium intake could have a similar effect on PMS. Magnesium like Vitamin E appears to have an effect on the hormones that cause PMS and related symptoms.

Taking a good vitamin E and magnesium supplement could help a woman reduce the pain and discomfort associated with her period. Such supplements won’t help women with more serious problems such as missed periods.

Other Things Could Cause PMS

Stress has long been known to have an adverse effect on women’s bodies particularly during menstruation. Stress can even cause a woman not have a period.

This means that stress could cause PMS or make it worse. It also means that women who take active steps to avoid stress can avoid some of the problems associated with PMS. Taking steps to avoid stress such as getting plenty of sleep, getting regular exercise, prayer, meditation and yoga can help a woman avoid PMS. Getting into good shape can sometimes help a woman avoid PMS as well.

Excessive PMS

A woman should always get worried if she suffers a lot of pain or discomfort as a result of PMS. If a woman gets cramps, headaches or a backache so painful that she can’t engage in her normal activities she should probably see her doctor. A woman who has never had such symptoms before but suddenly starts having them should see her doctor.

Something else that women should keep in mind is that not every ache and pain could be related to PMS. It is often a good idea for woman to see if the condition persists until after her period. If does, it may not be PMS.