![Channing Tatum’s 18 Hottest Moments [Photos]](http://s2.wp.com/imgpress?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcollegecandy.files.wordpress.com%2F2012%2F01%2Fchanning-tatum-lead11.jpg&resize=225,135 "Channing Tatum’s 18 Hottest Moments [Photos]")
Don’t Mess With PMS
It’s the start of a new week and already I feel haggard and exhausted. My moods are swinging like a particularly feisty pendulum and my breasts ache. It can only mean one thing: my good friend PMS is on the horizon.
The beginnings of some minor stomach cramps, an increased feeling of self-consciousness and a patience threshold shorter than my small toe surface like clockwork once a month, warning me of impending pain and the cycle of womanhood.
Thankfully I am not alone, basking in the dull glory of 90% of menstruating women who currently experience some form of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome. There are at least a hundred symptoms, though women experience a mix of just a few. The most common include irritability, loss of confidence, poor concentration, crying for no particular reason and the infamous mood swings, as feared by boyfriends and spouses the world over.
I myself am prone to similar experiences as mentioned above, along with an unpleasant notion of feeling like a beached whale and wishing my bedroom were the sea and my bed the sand, so I could waddle on my belly to bask in comfort and perhaps make a few guessed interpretations of what I would consider to be whale groans.
Treating such a varied problem is a tricky business; it is difficult to differentiate the factors which stem from the stresses of every day life to those blown out of proportion by PMS. There are treatments available, though it is suggested to increase your intake of vitamin B6 and evening primrose oil before considering something more invasive.
I’m lucky in the sense that I know my body well. I know when my PMS is flaring up, hence I can control it to a limited extent (such as warning those around me of possible temper tantrums beforehand!). A balanced diet also helps, as does a regular influx of water into your system which helps keep you hydrated. Peppermint tea also works wonders, as does camomile. Exercise – though it may be the last thing you feel like doing – also helps clear your mind and offers a rush of natural endorphins.
Despite the hassle of PMS, the one positive thing I have found is that you can get away with murder. Literally. And in a way, that almost makes up for the stresses and strains of being a woman. Almost.
What symptoms do YOU suffer from? How do they affect your everyday life, and how well can you control it? Let us know.
Tell us what you're thinking...
Lindsay Lohan's New Photo Shoot Is Full of Cleavage
Someone Tried to Extort The Duggars… So They'd Be Cancelled
So Snoop Dog Recorded a Rap About Porn
Lady Gaga Is Starting a Social Media Site for Her Fans
Kris Humphries Has Some Interesting Divorce Demands
Laura says:
Mon, 21st Apr 200812:19 pm
When I had my period, it was HORRIBLE. Sometimes the cramps were so bad, I could not even stand up or walk. I'm not so sure about mood swings as much… but I was definitely not feeling great in my lower tummy region. I started taking the pill about a year and a half ago, and no more cramps!! No weight gain, no mood swings, and no period since. It's AWESOME. Bye bye, that time of month!
A says:
Mon, 21st Apr 20082:18 pm
Is this really and article about PMS? I know this blog is aimed at women, but I think the topic is a little cliched. We all know, our periods suck.
My feeling can be summed up here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KFo-HZEArA
(I swear to god, it's not a Rickroll)
Haley says:
Mon, 21st Apr 20082:29 pm
I can't believe the last statement of this blog! How can you even talk about using PMS as an excuse, it's that sort of mindset that only helps promote the sort of sexist garbage that our society so desperately needs to get over. You should never use PMS as an excuse to be bitchy, get over it and control yourself. It would be just as bad as guys sitting on the couch, letting fly with all manner of bodily gasses, and their excuse being "Hey baby, I'm a man, so deal with it".
Stacy Kidd says:
Tue, 22nd Apr 200812:09 am
The last statement was a very good (bad?) example of sarcasm. Though it has, in the past, been used in cases of domestic violence against men. However it was not used as an excuse, it was diagnosed by medics as a very real problem, out of control. Controversial? I think so.
Stacy Kidd says:
Tue, 22nd Apr 200812:13 am
Also, this blog may be cliched, but it's exactly how I feel. And not all readers here are female, some men are not as clued up about women as you'd think.
Jes says:
Tue, 22nd Apr 20084:05 am
Well cliche or not, my mother and I both get VERY bad PMS. Call it an excuse if you want, but she literally has to be put on medication for a week to keep from beating her (younger) kids.
In addition to severe irritablity, we both get terrible migraines and I get stomach cramps so bad I've resorted to lortabs every month. I look forward to the day I have kids just so those will slack off.
Sadly enough, I was on the depo-provera shot just for the reason of stopping my periods, but the progesterone in it gives me ovarian cysts. So girls, please make sure you get checked up if you're taking those type of shots.
Anyways! Just thought I'd throw my two cents in since some people say it's "just an excuse," the dark cloud of depression that drops down that time of the month is most certainly not all in my head. It's in my hormones. lol
liz says:
Tue, 29th Apr 20082:38 pm
Laura, the first poster on this forum- it's nice not having your period- but would you rather have cancer instead? My estetician was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30- and her oncologist ( the doctor that treated her cancer) said that the Pill fed her cancer… there are hormones in the Pill- think about it- anything that makes your body STOP doing what it should naturally be doing CAN'T be healthy, and has to harm you in some way… CANCER… ask you doctor, do some research, no one wants to talk about it b/c SOOO much money money will be lost by the drug companies, and women think it's an easy way out of pregnancy… DO NOT TAKE THE PILL- IT CAN KILL YOU!!!
mojo says:
Sun, 4th May 20089:14 am
as a man i have to say i think its our duty to care and help ease it with hot water bottles, chocolate, tea and pillow fluffing.
as for the pill, welcome to the 21st century, everything gives you cancer.
and as for if its a cliche or not, its not by definition. its a much raised subject matter.
"never use PMS as an excuse to be bitchy, get over it and control yourself"
that sounds like an emotional outburst to me, is it your time of the month?
yours
Mojo
Andrea says:
Sun, 1st Jun 20085:42 am
Hello,
I have to agree. I am recently divorced, and I am REALLY over it until PMS comes along and knocks me off my high!! The weird thing is, I used to have the attitude prevalent in one of the previous postings. You know, 'Get over it and control yourself'. That is probably because I don't think I really used to get REAL PMS in my twenties, but now, it is pretty predictable that I will become emotionally unstable for a few days before and during!! Good luck.
Andrea
Nott says:
Sun, 1st Feb 20096:46 pm
I can tell you that if I had PMS, it was once, and my father let me know so bad I haven't had it since. So whoohoo, I'm part of the 10% that gets off scot-free.
"as a man i have to say i think its our duty to care and help ease it with hot water bottles, chocolate, tea and pillow fluffing."-mojo
Wow, that's probably the nicest thing i've seen a guyw rite online ever.