Periods – The Problems

A period may be the end of a sentence but it is the start of problems for many individuals.

Having periods generally is a good sign but as all things in life, everything curtails a degree of danger even this natural cycle and if not kept in proper check, the condition may worsen before cure and we don’t want that now do we.

This Article is a Continuation of Periods – An Introduction and here we shall discuss Period Problems and one of the major Syndromes that come with it, Premenstrual Syndrome.

Signs of period problems

One way to know if you may be having period problems is to learn what’s usual for you. Consider these questions:

• How painful are your cramps each month? Are they usually the same each time? If they get much worse, they may be a sign of a problem.
• How often do you get your period? How long does it last? (Use a calendar or app to track your periods.)
• What is your stress level like when you get your period? Are you just a little more stressed, or do you feel like you can’t cope at all?
• How heavy is your blood flow? You can tell how heavy it is by how many times you have to change your pads or tampons.

If you see changes from what your period is usually like or if you need help with heavy bleeding, pain, or uncomfortable feelings, talk with your parents or guardians about seeing your doctor. Having answers to the questions above also can help when you talk to your doctor.

What can affect your period

• Stress. If you are under a lot of stress, your periods might stop for a bit, but they usually begin again when your stress goes down.
• Exercise. Too much physical activity can cause your body fat to be very low, which can cause your periods to stop. This can happen if you are training hard for sports or if you work out a lot on your own. Being active usually is good for you, but if you are over-tired or get injured often, you may be overdoing it.
• Hormone problems. In a normal menstrual cycle, your hormones — or natural body chemicals — go up and down. Sometimes there are problems with hormones.
• Major weight loss. Girls who have anorexia will often stop having periods.

When to see a doctor

You should talk to your doctor or other trusted adult if any of the items on the list below are true for you. You may need to see your doctor.

• You have not gotten your period by the age of 15 or within three years of when your breasts started to grow
• It has been three months or more since your last period and you haven’t gotten it again
• You are bleeding for more days than usual or more than seven days
• Your bleeding is very heavy
• You suddenly feel sick after using tampons
• You have very bad pain during your period

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

In the days leading up to your period, do you have bloating, moodiness, or some other feelings that you’d rather avoid? If so, you are not alone. Many women have uncomfortable feelings starting a week or two before their period that usually stop when their period starts. These feelings can be mild or severe.

Symptoms of PMS are often a normal part of having your period. Doctors generally consider such feelings PMS if they happen month after month and they interfere with some part of your life.

PMS symptoms

You may have some emotional and physical symptoms from PMS. See the chart below for some examples.

Emotional changes	Physical changes
Crying spells Depression Feeling tense or anxious Feeling crabby Angry outbursts Having mood swings Trouble focusing Wanting to be alone more	Constipation and other digestive symptoms Hunger and food cravings Being tired Headaches Aches and pains Breast tenderness Trouble sleeping Swollen hands or feet Bloating or weight gain

What causes PMS?

No one knows for sure what causes PMS, but it seems to be linked to the changes in hormone levels that happen during your menstrual cycle.

Steps to help with PMS

There are many steps you can take to help you feel better. You may need to try different things to figure out what works for you. Your doctor can offer some suggestions.

Consider these tips for dealing with PMS:

• Eat a healthy diet, including foods high in calcium (such as low-fat dairy products), fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates (found in whole grain breads, pasta, and cereals).
• Stay away from salt the few days before your period to help with bloating.
• Drink less caffeine (found in soda, tea, and coffee) to feel less crabby and help ease breast soreness.
• Eat small, frequent meals rather than fewer, big ones.
• Make sure you are getting enough physical activity every day (and not just during your period).
• Make sure to get enough sleep. Try to go to bed and get up the same time each day.

Reference Article:
Period

Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself ~  Roseanne Barr