PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) Misery

I hate having this once a month! For women, we share the same dilemma and you know what I am talking about. For me, I always have this bloated abdomen three days before the onset of my menstruation and I feel bad about myself because as I look in the mirror, my reflection is telling me that I became fat! I also indulge in binge eating especially sweets and salty foods. It’s like I am in a pica state. And goodness, I can’t control my urges because when I deprived myself, I suffer from more cramps and terrible mood swings during my menstruation, and I cannot concentrate! So please bear with me if I have so many exclamation points here because I am just suffering from PMS right now and I am trying to divert myself by writing this post.
If you are a man, I am glad you navigate at this page because you’ll have a lot to understand about women by being aware about PMS.
Women have different menstrual cycles. Some would have it regularly with the same date every month or even if not the same date, the same week. Some have their bleeding days for just two or three days; others have it though for four, five or six days. It may even reach to seven days but is a rare case. Mine is a five-day bleeding period. So just imagine the length of discomfort I have to manage. Maybe the length of my bleeding days has something to do with my PMS. I have PMS to compensate for the energy I need for five days since I am losing blood (even if they tell that it is a dirty blood that must be released, it is still blood). From the onset of my PMS to my menstruation, I usually crave for more food and I suffer from kind-of-insomnia-hour the night before my bleeding day starts. So when I cannot sleep when I am expecting my “visitor”, I already knew my menstruation will start. But what is PMS?

My research says:
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), disorder characterized by a variety of physical and emotional symptoms that occur in women before menstruation. These symptoms typically begin at or after ovulation (release of an egg by the ovaries), and continue until menstruation begins.
The most common physical symptom of PMS is fatigue. Other physical symptoms may include cravings for sweet or salty foods, abdominal bloating, weight gain, sore breasts, swollen feet or hands, headaches, acne, and various gastrointestinal problems. The emotional symptoms of PMS generally include depression, irritability, anxiety, or mood swings. Approximately 2 to 5 percent of women have severe PMS symptoms, but many have only mild or moderate symptoms. PMS is most common in women in their 20s and 30s, and ceases entirely at menopause.
Many researchers believe that PMS is the result of changes in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels that occur during the menstrual cycle. Among other effects these hormonal changes may cause the body to retain more sodium and fluid, leading to swelling or bloating. Recent research suggests that low levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit messages between cells) that affect a woman's sense of well-being and relaxation, and also stimulate the central nervous system may contribute to the emotional symptoms.
PMS is diagnosed by recording symptoms for several menstrual cycles. Symptoms that occur in a predictable pattern (starting before menstruation, then disappearing when it begins) usually indicate PMS. A doctor may perform a physical exam, if necessary, to rule out the possibility that symptoms indicate the presence of disease.
Treatment of PMS involves finding the remedy or combination of remedies that work for each individual. For some women, dietary changes, such as eliminating caffeine and alcohol, and cutting back on salt, will alleviate symptoms. Doctors often recommend vigorous, aerobic exercise because it is thought that exercise stimulates the body's release of various neurotransmitters, supplementing those that are at low levels.
Medications used to treat PMS include diuretics (to ease fluid retention), oral contraceptives (for hormone control), and anti-anxiety medication, for extreme irritability. Low doses of progesterone (a reproductive system hormone) have been used on an experimental basis. Researchers also have conducted experiments using drugs that affect neurotransmitter levels.
My say:
Since I am always suffering from PMS, there are remedies I really tried to do to comfort myself.
My remedies to:
Cramps. After the first twinge of pelvic pain, I pop an over-the-counter medication that contains ibuprofen or naproxen and continue taking it until my period starts. Sometimes I start taking it when my menstruation starts, that way I know when to stop medicating. If I took one capsule of pain reliever and I felt better, I stop it. Anyway, the intense cramp occurs only during my first day.
Mood swings. I maintain my usual exercise schedule because as they say, exercise releases stress-busting chemicals into the bloodstream which helps us relax. As much as possible, I keep on moving like cleaning the house (the time my place become sparklingly clean), or do the laundry and many others. And to avoid week before irritability, (that is why men should consider that once in a month, a woman really have this uncontrolled irritability because of hormonal changes, and not because they did something wrong. Just leave a woman alone during these times. She really needs to be by herself not to screw your moment together) I aim for extra hour of sleep each night.
Bloating. Feeling water-logged is the result of the rise in the hormone progesterone in the second half of our cycle, which boosts our appetite for bloat inducing salty chow. I did try to control my intake of sodium-rich snacks. I also drink lots of water to further flush me out.
Breast tenderness. The surge in progesterone is also responsible for making our breasts sensitive and achy. I tried taking Vitamin E supplements. Since then, it also became my habit taking the vitamin everyday. Pain relievers with ibuprofen may also quell the pain.
Bottom line in alleviating PMS misery is managing its symptoms. There are ways you can do for your own comfort. And oh, I forgot to include that I don’t diet during my period because it only worsens my discomfort. One thing more is that, we need extra calories during this time because our body needs sufficient nourishment during and after our red-flag days. Do not be afraid to eat more. You can sweat it all away anyway when your menstruation is over.

Trivia of the day: Male wolves, unlike many guys, cuddle after sex. They have to so no other wolf’s sperm has a chance to compete for the female’s eggs.