Womens_HealthAustralia-February_2017

“I HAVE CRAMPS THAT

FEEL LIKE I’M GIVING

BIRTH TO THE SPAWN

O F SATA N ”

There’s a reason it feels a little

like you’re in labour – your uterine

muscles are contracting. They

are on a mission to dislodge the

uterine lining (that gunky stuff

you see on its way out). Typically,

these contractions (AKA cramps)

are spurred by prostaglandin

hormones; the higher the levels

you have, the worse you feel.

Using a heat pillow for 10 to 15

minutes can help dilate uterine

blood vessels, picking up circulation

and flushing out prostaglandins

faster. Thirty minutes of aerobic

exercise each day can also up

your heart rate and blood flow.

If OTC anti-inflammatory

painkillers aren’t helping and you’ve

exhausted all natural options –

including yoga and acupuncture

• see your doc. Severe cramps can
  also be caused by dysmenorrhea,
  endometriosis, uterine fibroids or
  other genetic conditions. The first
  line of treatment is typically the pill
  or another hormonal contraceptive,
  which can reduce your overall
  amount of uterine tissue.

“THE BLOATING

IS HORRIBLE; IT’S

LIKE THIS MASSIVE

PRESSURE”

Some 73 per cent of women

experience unpleasant gut

symptoms before and during their

period, according to research from

BMC Women’s Health journal.

Surprisingly, no one knows exactly

what triggers this monthly spike in

water retention, but it’s known that

salt and alcohol can make it worse.

Steer clear of those and eat foods

rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as

salmon and walnuts. Just two daily

grams of the stuff can help quell

period-related bloating.

“I HAVE INSATIABLE

CRAVINGS. I WANT

TO EAT ALL OF THE

THINGS, ALL THE TIME”

You’re not the only one who wants

to park herself in front of a double

choc brownie stand. PMS cravings

are uber-common, and they start in

the brain. That pre-period serotonin

dip has been linked to yearnings

for salty or sweet carbs, which may

actually have serotonin-restoring

properties. Another surprise:

sometimes it’s best to just give in

to your biology... to an extent.

“Usually one serving of something

savoury or chocolatey will satisfy

you,” says dietitian Toby Smithson.

(Note: one serving!) While you’re

at it, stick with snacks that include

some calcium; for unknown reasons,

the mineral can reduce a handful

of PMS symptoms.

“MY SEX DRIVE GOES

THROUGH THE ROOF

RIGHT BEFORE I GET

MY PERIOD!”

OK, so this isn’t exactly a problem...

but it is a medical mystery. Typically,

the toey time of the month occurs

during ovulation, about a week

before PMS starts, when you’re

likeliest to conceive. And while

plenty of studies suggest PMS

should lower libido, many women

report the exact opposite. Some

experts theorise that women

may feel more psychologically

liberated when their chances of

getting knocked up are lower. And

physically, orgasms are known

cramp relievers. Or maybe it’s just

that during a time when they crave

extra TLC, women seek out the

intimacy that comes with sex. WH

See how your

symptoms

stack up

against the

nearly 500 WH

readers who

wrote in about

their monthly

maladies.

64 %

of all complaints

were physical

pains. Cramps,

headaches

and breast pain

took the top

three slots

29 %

of symptoms

were mood-

related. Hello

bitchiness,

irritability

and anger

31 %

of readers

yearn for sweets

20 %

reach for salty

snacks

8 %

make a beeline

for fatty foods

4 %

lose appetite

altogether

50

women felt

exhausted

12 %

suffered bloat

4 %

got monthly

acne

28

women had

crazy heavy

bleeding

40 womenshealth.com.au FEBRUARY 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES; KEVIN MALLETT/GALLERY STOCK/SNAPPER MEDIA; ED URRUTIA

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