How You Know Your Period Is Coming

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Menstruation And Quality Of Life

The symptoms of menstruation can affect your quality of life. Its important to take note of whether your period is impacting any aspects of your life. Talk to your doctor if your period is causing you to:

• Miss work or school
• Not be able to participate in activities that you usually enjoy
• Struggle to carry out your usual daily activities
• Accomplish less than you would like to
• Have difficulty in your relationships with your family or friends
• Have severe pain
• Lack energy or feel very fatigued
• Not exercise when you normally do
• Choose not to go out when you normally would

How Do I Deal With Pms And Cramps

PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome. Its when the hormones that control your menstrual cycle cause changes in your body and emotions around the time of your period.

Some of the most common PMS symptoms are:

• Cramps

• Bloating

• Breakouts

• Feeling tired

• Mood swings

Some people get PMS every time they have their periods. Others only get PMS every once in awhile. You may have all or just some PMS symptoms. And some people don’t get PMS at all. Learn more about PMS.

Cramps are one of the most common symptoms to have before/during your period. They can be super painful, or just a little annoying. You can calm cramps by taking pain medicine . Putting a heating pad where it hurts, taking a hot bath, exercising, or stretching your body can also help. Learn more about how to deal with cramps.

Certain types of birth control like the pill, shot, implant, and IUD can help with PMS and other period problems. If your PMS is so bad that its hard to do normal activities during your period, talk to an adult you trust or your family doctor. You can also call your local Planned Parenthood health center. You shouldnt have to suffer every month, and they can help you find the cause and get treatment.

Also Check: What Age Does A Woman Stop Having Her Period

What Are Signs Of Period Coming Discharge

Vaginal discharge before period is thick white discharge.

During your menstrual cycle, your vaginal discharge may change from time to time. At the beginning of your cycle, after menstruation ends, vaginal discharge is thick white. Some women may experience vaginal dryness just after period ends.

At the middle of your cycle or just before ovulation occurs, vaginal discharge becomes stretchy and egg white. After ovulation occurs and before your period, vaginal discharge is thick white again.

Changes in vaginal discharge are due to hormone changes during menstrual cycles. Thick white discharge is a sign your period is coming. It occurs due to low levels of progesterone and estrogen.

How Is Pms Diagnosed

There is no single test for PMS. Your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms, including when they happen and how much they affect your life.

You probably have PMS if you have symptoms that:

• Happen in the five days before your period for at least three menstrual cycles in a row
• End within four days after your period starts
• Keep you from enjoying or doing some of your normal activities

Keep track of which PMS symptoms you have and how severe they are for a few months. Write down your symptoms each day on a calendar or with an app on your phone. Take this information with you when you see your doctor.

Also Check: When Should I Expect My Period

What Can I Do At Home To Relieve Pms Symptoms

These tips will help you be healthier in general, and may relieve some of your PMS symptoms.

• Get regular aerobic physical activity throughout the month. Exercise can help with symptoms such as depression, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue.
• Choose healthy foods most of the time. Avoiding foods and drinks with caffeine, salt, and sugar in the two weeks before your period may lessen many PMS symptoms. Learn more about healthy eating for women.
• Get enough sleep. Try to get about eight hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep is linked to depression and anxiety and can make PMS symptoms such as moodiness worse.
• Find healthy ways to cope with stress. Talk to your friends or write in a journal. Some women also find yoga, massage, or meditation helpful.
• Dont smoke. In one large study, women who smoked reported more PMS symptoms and worse PMS symptoms than women who did not smoke.

Signs Your Period Is Coming

From physical to emotional changes, there are so many period symptoms to watch. While we all experience symptoms differently, in this post were going to take a look at some signs your period may be on its way and what to look out for. Well also talk about how hormone-free birth control can help you get to know your body better.

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When Will I Get My Period

No one can say exactly when you’ll get your first menstrual period, but it will be sometime during puberty. Puberty is the time in your life when you begin to become an adult. This means a lot of growing and changing both inside and out.

Some girls start puberty at age 8, and others may start as late as 13 or 14. Each girl goes at her own pace. So don’t think you’re weird if you start puberty a little earlier or a little later than your friends.

At the beginning of puberty, you’ll notice that your breasts are developing and hair will start to grow on your genitals . A little later, hair also will grow under your arms.

For most girls, their first menstrual period, or menarche , begins about 2 years after she first starts to get breasts. For most girls this is around age 12. But it can be as early as age 8 or as late as 15. Talk to your doctor if your period started before age 8 or you are 15 and havent started your period.

A good sign you’re getting close to the time when your first period will arrive is if you notice a discharge coming from your vagina. It might be thin and slightly sticky or thick and gooey, and can be clear to white or off-white in color. Usually, this happens about 6 months before you get your first period.

Youre Craving Certain Foods

While it can be a source of comfort to reach for the chocolate box in the days before our periods, theres a perfectly scientific reason for craving certain foods. Once again it all comes down to changes in hormone levels. These hormonal fluctuations can make us crave sweet or salty foods and can affect our appetite at different points in the cycle too.

Sometimes a treat is exactly what we need to pick us up on those difficult days, but keep in mind that maintaining a healthy diet and drinking lots of water can reduce bloating and other PMS symptoms in the lead up to your period.

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A Q& a With Kirsten Karchmer

What are some of the most persistent myths about periods/period health?

I have heard so many unbelievable myths about periodscramps are punishment for being a woman, PMS is all in your head, you cant swim in the ocean while you have your period because sharks will attack you. In nearly the first 3,200 years of written language, there isnt a single mention of the menstrual cycle. Now that its 2018, we have made some progress, but Id say 90-percent of the women I talk to believe one period myth or anotherand its because were not talking about periods enough, or in the right way.

The biggest myth of all: PMS and cramping are normal, and theres nothing you can do about it. More than 80-percent of women report significant PMS and menstrual cramping, which makes those conditions incredibly common, but they are NOT normal. Youre probably thinking, not my cramps! Yeah girl, your cramps too. Every aspect of your menstrual cyclethe length, volume of blood, color of blood, timing of ovulation, basal body temperatures, PMS, and crampinggives you important information about your health and provides a valuable feedback mechanism to measure your progress in getting healthier.

Whats going on when we experience PMS?

What can different PMS symptoms tell you about whats going on in your body?

Do you tend to get cravings, nausea, or have bowel changes before your period? Thats a really good sign that your digestive system is on the weak side.

Did We Answer Your Question About Pms

For more information about PMS, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or check out the following resources from other organizations:

• Premenstrual Syndrome Information from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Premenstrual Syndrome Information from the National Library of Medicine

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When Will I Start My Period

When it comes to having your first period, every person is different. Most people start between the ages of 11 and 14, however its not unheard of to start as young as 8, or as old as 16. One way to get a loose estimate is to ask your mum or a close female relative when they had their first period. Theyll be able to give you some help and guidance, and also answer any questions you might have.

While its impossible to predict exactly when it will happen, there are some signs your body may be nearly ready to start

Starting your period is just one aspect of going through puberty. Other indicators like your breasts starting to develop, hair growing in places it didnt before , and getting vaginal discharge are all signs that your period might be about to make an appearance!

When Do Most Girls Get Their Period

Most girls get their first period when they’re around 12. But getting it any time between age 10 and 15 is OK. Every girl’s body has its own schedule.

There isn’t one right age for a girl to get her period. But there are some clues that it will start soon:

• Most of the time, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop.
• Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.

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How Do You Know Your Period Is Coming

PMS is just one of those facts of life that women just have to endure. Around a week before your period, most women experience an array of premenstrual symptoms and unfortunately, these symptoms are not very pleasant, but they do provide you with a warning to get your dark pants or leak-free products in order. Here are six signs that your period is just around the corner.

Cramps

Due to your uterus contracting before it expels its lining, many women experience cramps right before their period starts, and this is a powerful sign that your menstrual flow will be starting soon. Some women get more severe cramps than others, and pain relievers, such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Midol are all popular choices to alleviate this common PMS discomfort.

Acne

Did you know that your hormones shift from estrogen and progesterone to more testosterone before and during your period? This sudden shift in hormones may cause acne. Common places these pimples tend to appear are on the chin and forehead. Make sure to keep your face clean during these times and refuse the urge to pop them.

Fatigue

A couple of weeks before your period begins, progesterone levels increase then, right before your period, the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop. This shift takes a toll on your body, and causes fatigue for many women, right before their period starts. Try to get rest when you can and squeeze in a power nap, if possible.

Bloating

Spotting

Irritability

Tender Breasts Before Periods

Women usually feel discomfort and pain in their breasts just before their period. This pain can increase as one gets closer to their period date. Some also notice swelling and a change in breast size. These changes occur due to the fluctuation of hormones in the body. Before your period, progesterone levels and estrogen levels increase, and this causes breast tenderness. This is one of the most common signs of your period coming.

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What Causes A Period

A period happens because of changes in in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the female hormones and . These hormones cause the lining of the uterus to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach to and start developing. If there is no fertilized egg, the lining breaks down and bleeds. Then the same process happens all over again.

It usually takes about a month for the lining to build up, then break down. That is why most girls and women get their periods around once a month.

Similar Symptoms Of Period And Pregnancy

Before your period is coming, you may have tender or swollen breasts, you may experience headache, fatigue, constipation, acne. All these signs happen to be same or similar to those early pregnancy symptoms.

Table below shows the similar symptoms of the period and pregnancy.

Similar Symptoms of Pregnancy and Period

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Signs Of Period Coming But No Period

If you experience signs of period coming but no period, then it may be due to pregnancy.

Pregnancy may cause you to have signs of period Headache and cramps, but no period coming.

If pregnant, you may experience brown spotting before period or sometimes an unusual early light period.

Are you getting tired easily? Do you feel like vomiting? Are you craving for a specific kind of diet? Then its possible you may be pregnant.

Other causes of signs ofperiod coming but no period are stress, weight loss, contraceptive pills, obesity, weight loss, ovarian cyst and polycystic ovarian disease.