Getting over discomfort periods
Many girls experience discomfort with their periods. Before the period starts each month , some girls feel tearful and sad. Sometimes they also get bad tempered because their breasts feel sore or their bodies feel a bit swollen or bloated.
This moodiness is sometimes called Òpre-menstrual tensionÓ. Doctors have not pinpointed the exact cause of it, but many believe it is linked to changing hormone levels. Following a girl’s period, the amount of female hormones (a substance secreted and carried in the bloodstream to organs and tissues located elsewhere in the body where it performs a specific psychological action) in her body increase.
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Then about one week before her period starts, levels of these hormones begin to fall. The thinking is that, these changing hormone levels can lead to tension.
It isn’t clear why some girls develop Òpre-menstrual tensionÓ and others don’t. It’s possible that those who develop it are simply more sensitive to the changes in their hormonal levels. There are other theories as well. For example, some believe that what you eat can affect how you feel, especially during the couple of weeks before your period.
Luckily, you can do a few things to ease these symptoms. Daily exercise and stress-relief techniques such as relaxing can help some girls.
You can eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and cut back on processed foods such as chips and crackers. You might also want to reduce your salt intake (salt can make you retain water and become more bloated) and, believe it or not, drink more water.
Say no to caffeine (it can make you jumpy and anxious) and yes, have plenty of sleep.
Many girls also experience some abdominal pain or cramps during their period. These cramps happen because the muscles of the uterus are contracting while the lining is being shed.
These cramps are normal and can be managed. If the pain is strong, lie down and try to completely relax your body by breathing in deeply and slowly.
You can also gently massage the abdomen and back. Alternatively, a hot water bottle placed on the abdomen and lower stomach will give relief. If this does not work, let your mother get you a pain killer from a qualified pharmacist.
Exercise can also help. Even though this may not be your first instinct. You might feel like lying down, but taking a brisk walk or jogging helps some girls deal with their cramps.
Menstrual cramps and pains are usually a feature of early adolescence, and, by the time you are 18 or more, they probably wonÕt bother you too much.
However, some girls have extraordinarily painful period. These girls usually are the same ones who have very heavy periods.
Girls with very heavy periods usually end up using many sanitary pads in one day and night and still stain their sheets or clothes.
They often miss school because they are bleeding too much or in too much pain. If you experience these symptoms, you must inform your parents so they can take you to see a health worker for you to get the necessary assistance.
