Womens_HealthAustralia-February_2017

“I CRY AT SOPPY ADS”

Drama alert! Some 20 to 30 per cent

of women are extra sensitive to the

hormonal fluctuations that happen

between ovulation and bleeding,

and that may throw the brain
chemicals that rule the emotions

into a tailspin, says psychiatrist

Dr Teri Pearlstein. Try upgrading

your plate: regularly loading up on

complex carbs such as leafy greens

and wholegrain foods can help

keep your blood sugar – and your
emotions! – steady, says Pearlstein.

“UGH. I HAVE WHAT

I CALL ‘PERIOD

HEADACHES’”

Those who suffer from dreaded

menstrual migraines can blame one
culprit for two period pains: the

prostaglandin hormones that cause

cramps can also attack the nerves

in your head, says headache expert

Dr Vincent Martin. Medicines known

as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are

effective for the treatment of period

pain. These medicines stop the

production of prostaglandins

• the chemical that causes period

pain. Paracetamol and aspirin

can also be taken to give relief.

“MY NIPPLES

B E C O M E R E A L LY

SENSITIVE. SOOOO

UNCOMFORTABLE

WHEN I’M TRYING

TO WORK OUT!”
Sad but true: along with extra

breast volume can come

tenderness, especially for women

who are sensitive to rising levels

of progesterone. The hormone

activates breast cells, ostensibly
preparing them for pregnancy,

says Dr Steven Sondheimer, an

obstetrician and gynaecologist.

Some patients, he notes, report

less pain when they cut down

their daily caffeine intake. Several

studies, including one published
in the journal Acta Medica Iranica

suggests that women who regularly

take chasteberry extract have

less breast tenderness (the fruit

may help suppress prolactin,

another breast-swelling hormone).

Otherwise, investing in a very

supportive sports bra “should

make your breasts less vulnerable

to the stress that exercise puts on

your chest,” says Sondheimer.

“I FEEL AS IF I COULD

SLEEP FOR A WEEK”

No, you’re not just a sloth. Any

time you lose blood, you lose iron,

an energising mineral. Iron is also

involved in making the mood-

regulating hormone serotonin,

which often dips during PMS, says

epidemiologist Elizabeth Bertone-

Johnson. In a study from the

University of Massachusetts,

women who ate more foods

containing iron had less PMS.

Try regularly noshing on iron-rich

plants such as spinach, beans

or lentils to keep your levels

steady all month long. Another

study published in the Journal of

Reproduction suggests that popular

Indian spice fenugreek may ease

period-related fatigue when taken

in supplement or powdered form

(900mg, three times daily during

your period). Still feeling spent?

Give yourself a break and your

body the rest it needs. Build in

some extra downtime into your

pre-period schedule, says Pearlstein.

READERS’

LIVES

A peek at the

mysterious, stranger

symptoms of Aunt Flo

“I GET RANDOM

BRUISES!”

CHRISTINE

“I GET REALLY COLD

• FOR TWO WEEKS
  I JUST FREEZE.” MARIE

“MY TOES

CRAMP UP

EVERY TIME.”

HEATHER

“I GET HYPER-

SENSITIVE

ABOUT SMELLS.

I CAN’T STAND

PERFUME

OR AN Y

DEODORANT.”

JACOLENE

“ALCOHOL HAS

TRIPLE THE EFFECT

ON ME.” KYLIE

Outgrown pads

and tampons?

The Lunette

Cup is as easy

to insert as

a tampon. It’s

made from soft

medical grade

silicone – no

more fluffy

thing you need

to dispose of.

And for that

reason, it’s

better for the

environment

• simply wash
  and reuse
  rather than
  adding to
  landfill. $59.95,
  lunette.com/au

FEBRUARY 2017 womenshealth.com.au 39

Best Body health

WHY TRY THE

Lunette Cup?