pms-related stories
Does PMS Give You Monster Cravings?
That time of the month can be a real killer for healthy eating habits. When those PMS cravings kick in, it can be hard to resist.
When you're premenstrual, hormone fluctuations can cause physical changes in your appetite. What's more, heightened emotions can also find you reaching for the fridge handle. AOL Health has some great tips for healthful replacements for common cravings.
Whether they're premenstrual cravings or your regular run-of-the-mill need for a chocolate fix, remember that you can control your cravings. And if you're doubting that your hunger is real, stop and do the HALT test to determine if you're really hungry or if it's just your emotions.
Remember, exercise is a great way to manage PMS symptoms. Last week, I wondered if you worked out with your dog.
When you're premenstrual, hormone fluctuations can cause physical changes in your appetite. What's more, heightened emotions can also find you reaching for the fridge handle. AOL Health has some great tips for healthful replacements for common cravings.
Whether they're premenstrual cravings or your regular run-of-the-mill need for a chocolate fix, remember that you can control your cravings. And if you're doubting that your hunger is real, stop and do the HALT test to determine if you're really hungry or if it's just your emotions.
Remember, exercise is a great way to manage PMS symptoms. Last week, I wondered if you worked out with your dog.
The PMS Diet - This Week on AOL Health
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
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How to Beat a Bloated Belly
Ask Fitz!, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Hi Fitz, I just bought a fairly fitted dress for a party this weekend and am desperate to avoid a poochy tummy. I'm in pretty good shape but often get bloated. I can not wear this dress if I'm bloated. Help! Andrea
A. Hi Andrea, Bloating is a bummer, but I can definitely help you avoid it. You're just going to have to be smart about what you eat and drink for the few days prior to your event.
Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: Breaking Out of Hormone Hell
Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday and Thursday!For those of you who have experienced "The Change" you may remember it as more of a Hormone Hell rather than a mere life "change." PMS, Menopause, Perimenopause ... is it possible to avoid the tumultuous time that many experience while a lucky minority are able to escape?! I regularly see a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and with her guidance she has treated me personally for various "imbalances" I have experienced over the years with herbal remedies. And I believe it is possible to bring a body back into balance via certain alternative therapies.
"Herbally" Speaking....There are certainly pros and cons to just about every therapy available on the market, but herbal remedies often have fewer, and less drastic, side effects than their pharmaceutical counterparts. Having said that, it is important to note that herbs are not subjected to the same governmental regulatory standards as pharmaceuticals. Before starting any new therapeutic regiment, be sure to consult with your physician. Let your health care provider know of any medications you are taking as some herbs can have harmful interactions with other drugs.
The American College of Obstetricians (ACOG) released the following guidelines on the most popular alternative therapies for menopause:
Prevent cramps before they start
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss
Girls, we've all been there. 'The time of the month' is not only a nuisance, it's a pain -- literally. Hands up: how many of you have missed work or school because of severe cramps? Now, I can't see your hands, but I'm willing to bet most of you raised them--myself included. Popping a pain killer is always an option after your period has hit, but is there any way to prevent cramps?
WebMD says yes, and they've even put together this video on how to nip menstrual cramps in the bud. There are a few things you can do:
Want more tips? Watch the video, and be sure to let us know if you have any 'secret weapons' against the pain of periods.
WebMD says yes, and they've even put together this video on how to nip menstrual cramps in the bud. There are a few things you can do:
- A few days before your period starts, take a mild over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug like Advil, aspirin or ibuprofen
- If you're not trying for a family, consider taking oral contraceptives. They'll help make your period lighter and less painful.
- Applying heat to the area will help -- use a heating pad or hot water bottle.
- As always, eating well and exercising lots will go a long way to help prevent pain.
Want more tips? Watch the video, and be sure to let us know if you have any 'secret weapons' against the pain of periods.
Everything you've ever wanted to know about your period but were afraid to ask
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss
It shows up roughly every four weeks, decade upon decade, but how much do you really know about your period? Did you know, for instance, that a normal cycle can range from 25 to 35 days long? Or that calcium and vitamin D may help ward of PMS?
Gynecologists say that they frequently get questions from women who misunderstand their cycle, and they've shared the most commonly asked questions with readers.
So if you have a burning question about:
click here to have your questions answered!
Gynecologists say that they frequently get questions from women who misunderstand their cycle, and they've shared the most commonly asked questions with readers.
So if you have a burning question about:
- PMS
- irregular cycles
- getting pregnant during your period
- being pregnant and still getting your period
- toxic shock syndrome
click here to have your questions answered!
Chinese herbs more effective for menstrual pain than drugs
Vitamins and Supplements, Nutrition & Supplements
Chinese herbs have been found more effective that standard drugs when it comes to the pain related with monthly menstruation, according to a new piece of research from Australia.
In fact, Chinese herbs may be more effective than even acupuncture or heat compression, as the study involving 3,500 women showed.
The end result included the researchers stating that Chinese herbs had "overall superiority" compared to other treatments, which included placebos (no treatment), NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), OCPs (oral contraceptive pill), acupuncture and heat compression.
I know many people who are huge fans of Chinese herbs (search for TCM on Wikipedia) for everything from colds to canker sores. Perhaps menstrual pain can be added to that list now. What do you think?
In fact, Chinese herbs may be more effective than even acupuncture or heat compression, as the study involving 3,500 women showed.
The end result included the researchers stating that Chinese herbs had "overall superiority" compared to other treatments, which included placebos (no treatment), NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), OCPs (oral contraceptive pill), acupuncture and heat compression.
I know many people who are huge fans of Chinese herbs (search for TCM on Wikipedia) for everything from colds to canker sores. Perhaps menstrual pain can be added to that list now. What do you think?
PMS? Or PMDD?
Ah, PMS. Wouldn't the world be a nicer place without it? Unfortunately, it's a reality for the majority of women out there. But if you're finding that your symptoms are far worse than most of your girlfriends', you might be suffering from something more than PMS -- you might have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD.) How do you tell if it's plain old PMS or PMDD? Look for these symptoms:
- Crying and sadness
- Irritability; feeling nervous and anxious
- Really strong cravings for certain foods
- Problems with concentration
- Tender breasts, bloating, swelling, headaches and/or joint pain.
- Trouble sleeping
How ingenious -- PMS chocolate
When it's 'that time of the month', I've been known to go on a fairly serious chocolate rampage. I won't lie -- things can get ugly if you get in between me and a skor bar. So I was fairly impressed when I saw this ingenious creation on Fitsugar -- PMS Chocolate! It was developed by a clever Canadian company, which is very exciting for me because being Canadian, I often miss out on products that are hyped up on many blogs.
This PMS chocolate isn't any old chocolate -- it's chocolates infused with vitamins to help combat the symptoms of PMS. Each mini chocolate bar (70 calories) has weeping willow bark (a natural pain reliever), artichoke leaf (which eases bloating), LactiumTM (to promote calmness) and chasteberry (which helps with mood swings).
I haven't tried it, but I plan to. What about you?
This PMS chocolate isn't any old chocolate -- it's chocolates infused with vitamins to help combat the symptoms of PMS. Each mini chocolate bar (70 calories) has weeping willow bark (a natural pain reliever), artichoke leaf (which eases bloating), LactiumTM (to promote calmness) and chasteberry (which helps with mood swings).
I haven't tried it, but I plan to. What about you?
The premenstrual depression gene
There appears to be more and more conditions being linked to specific genes or groups of genes, and why should premenstrual depression be any different?The condition that depresses millions of women in their child-bearing years, known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) causes severe irritability and bouts of major depression during the second half of each menstrual cycle.
But now, that condition is thought to be brought on by a specific genetic arrangement instead of hormonal changes throughout the cycle. The research team which looked at PMDD causes determined that four specific gene variants in the estrogen receptor alpha gene were more common in PMDD women.
How to get the most out of your hormones
Ladies, of course you can choose to see the negatives and focus on PMS and bloating or whatever, but when your period rolls around every month why not focus on the positives instead? And the rest of the month, as things are happening and changing in your body, why not use all that to your advantage also? Although hormone fluctuations generally have a bad reputation, they can have benefits if you understand them. For example, in days 1-10 of your cycle (1 being the first day of your period) it'll be easier to quit smoking, days 11-14 are the best times to schedule a routine OB appt or to make a large corporate presentation, and days 15-28 are the most conducive to burning and losing belly fat.Who knew? Mark your calendars!
Beat PMS through nutrition
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Got PMS? Then you probably have cravings as well, especially for sweet or salty foods. But as much as chocolate sounds like a good idea during that week leading up to your period, it's not -- at least not in high doses. Salt, alcohol, and caffeine can exacerbate your symptoms and leave you feeling more miserable than before. If you really want to beat the bloating, cramping, and irritability, choose foods rich in these nutrients instead:
- calcium and magnesium: may improve mood and reduce bloating
- vitamin B6: may relieve depression and breast tenderness
- magnesium: is thought to regulate serotonin
- manganese: may relieve irritability, tension, and depression
Natural ideas for dealing with PMS
Diet & Weight Loss, Alternative & Green Health
Many women struggle with the uncomfortable symptoms otherwise known as PMS on a monthly basis, and are unable to find effective ways to deal. Of course there are numerous products you can buy at the local drug store designed to help with issues like bloating, pain, crankiness, etc, but not everybody is interested in taking medications. Many women would prefer to try natural remedies first, if possible.And there are some natural things you can try for relieving PMS related symptoms, one for example is calcium. It has been shown to decrease bloating, depression, and pain in some women. But be careful, however, as too much calcium is not a good thing either. Always stick with the recommended daily amount of anything, unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
Click the link to get some other natural ideas, including fish oil, vitamin B6, and chasteberry.
Keeping PMS in check
Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements
Ladies, next time you find yourself overtaken by irrational cravings for anything sweet, salty, savory or just plain bad for you, check the calendar--it's probably that dreaded PMS rearing it's ugly head yet again. Myself, I crave carb to the point where I could pretty much consume a loaf of bread on my own, but don't.
AOL has put together this guide to the most common cravings and suggests healthier choices that should satisfy the craving just as well. Chocoholics should try for some chocolate-covered fruit to get their coco fix with along with some vital nutrients as well. Salt fiends should try some nuts. And carb-fiends like myself should opt for whole grains and limited servings.
What helps you through that time of the month?
AOL has put together this guide to the most common cravings and suggests healthier choices that should satisfy the craving just as well. Chocoholics should try for some chocolate-covered fruit to get their coco fix with along with some vital nutrients as well. Salt fiends should try some nuts. And carb-fiends like myself should opt for whole grains and limited servings.
What helps you through that time of the month?
Massage offers pain relief and so much more
Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation, Alternative & Green Health
You no longer have to feel guilty about indulging yourself in that massage. Scientific studies make it official -- getting a massage may improve your health.
Multiple studies have shown that massage reduces the amount of the stress hormone cortisol circulating in your body, and also raises the levels of "happy" hormones serotonin and dopamine. Those hormonal changes block pain receptors in your brain, bringing relief to those who suffer from such conditions as lower back pain, fibromyalgia, and other painful conditions. Not only that, because cortisol destroys your natural "killer cells," reducing the amounts of it in your body boosts your immune system and helps you ward off infections. Massage has also been found to fight insomnia, make you feel more alert, and ease the symptoms of PMS.
So go for that massage and know that you're not just indulging yourself with a little luxury, but doing your body good as well.
Multiple studies have shown that massage reduces the amount of the stress hormone cortisol circulating in your body, and also raises the levels of "happy" hormones serotonin and dopamine. Those hormonal changes block pain receptors in your brain, bringing relief to those who suffer from such conditions as lower back pain, fibromyalgia, and other painful conditions. Not only that, because cortisol destroys your natural "killer cells," reducing the amounts of it in your body boosts your immune system and helps you ward off infections. Massage has also been found to fight insomnia, make you feel more alert, and ease the symptoms of PMS.
So go for that massage and know that you're not just indulging yourself with a little luxury, but doing your body good as well.
