Talk About Periods

PMS premenstrual syndrome is all in your head. Is it true or not? We will be deciphering this age old myth, adhered both by men and older women when young girls go through mood swings, crying episodes or craving sweet stuff. Many women and according to studies more than 75 percent deal with symptoms like cramping, bloating, irritability, fatigue, and depression every month. Many are unaware of this and consider it an episode of depression. It is a myth that PMS is all in your head but it is very real and it has medical researches to back it up.

The feeling of PMS develops between ovulation and the start of your period which is roughly the 2 weeks before your period. It can last for a few days after your period begins. The reason behind this phenomenon is the hormonal changes occurring in the body, letting women know of the arrival of periods. PMS effects different people differently, some might have an acute effect while for others it might not even be noticeable. For some women it can be so severe that it can have some impact on everyday life and regular activities. Anxiety, restlessness, or feeling on edge, unusual anger and irritability, changes in appetite, including increased food cravings, especially for sweets are some of the common symptoms. A sad mood, which might involve tearfulness or sudden, uncontrollable crying rapid shifts in mood and emotional outbursts and decreased sex drive have also been reported by some during PMS.

Premenstrual syndrome is a medical diagnosis of multiple symptoms including both emotional and physical discomforts. While some people might experience premenstrual symptoms of low to moderate intensity, some might have a full blown PMS effect, whatever the case may be, there are ways that it can be helped.

Start keeping track of your menstrual cycle and your emotions throughout its different stages. This will help you confirm that your mood swings are indeed linked to your cycle. Knowing there’s a reason why you’re feeling cranky can help keep things in perspective and you can handle it better.

Having a detailed log of your last few cycles is also handy if you want to bring up your symptoms with your doctor. You can track your cycle and symptoms using a period-tracking app on your phone. Look for one that allows you to add your own symptoms.

Calcium supplements and regular intake of multi vitamins bring down the effects of PMS.

Avoid caffeine and keep taking regular small meals, that usually helps the mood swings.

Most importantly, keep exercising, before and during your periods. IT will surely bring out the best of you. Working out relives the anxiety and depression anyways but during the hormonal change, it will further regularize the period cycle but also help with PMS.

Navigating Menstruation with Comfort and Confidence

Menstruation can be confusing and overwhelming, for young girls experiencing for the first time. Considering it to be a taboo still in this day and age specially in the Sub Continent, young girls have too many fears and questions regarding this natural phenomenon that every girls faces when she hits puberty. We are here to help them who cannot talk about it to their mothers or friends about it. Though we encourage the moms, sisters, friends and aunts to have a healthy discussion about it, but for the shy peers, we are there to help.

There are many ways to manage the period blood, with evolution the management has become much easier than the olden times. Placing a cloth and layering it with cotton is still practiced in many areas but enlightening girls of much more comfortable, easy on the pocket and especially hygienic ways to go through this monthly flow, is our aim.

Tampons, pads, menstrual cups – there are a lot of methods out there to manage menstrual blood. Advertisements, your friends, or even what might you have experienced think one method is better than another – when in reality, each has its pros and cons.

Tampons

The smallest and easiest absorbent ever, that is full leakage proof, if changed regularly, no visibility, extremely comfortable, you can even go for swimming in them. You can keep them in your purse, or pocket, so storing them is not a problem. They are fairly long lasting, like from 4 to 6 hours.

But it has its cons with it, you have to find the right size depending on your flow. It can get bacteria in if not inserted with clean hands and is dangerous for environment. They can cause irritation or dryness in vagina.  So you do have to try it a couple of times, switch it with pads and see what makes you most comfortable.

Sanitary Pads

Pads are the most famous way for women, they come big and small, with wings to control leakage, cotton layered or gel based to soak it all in. They have much less risk of infection as you are not inserting anything in your body.  It’s much more comfortable to sleep in them.  And if the flow is really little, you can opt for panty liner.

The cons are , they are still bad for environment, they are accident prone , as there can be leakage no matter how big the wings are, the walking and other activities might shift their position, you cannot swim in them and then there are always the chances of pad rash.

Menstrual Cups

Best part about Menstrual Cups is, they are reusable. So there is hardly any destructive effect on environment. They are super easy on the pocket as you won’t be running every month to buy new product. You just sanitize the old one and use it month after month. As they are not absorbing but just storing, there are hardly any chances of infections. They have way more storage so no need to empty it after every couple of hours.

It does have its disadvantages, as emptying it might be gross for some. You have to properly sanitise it with boiling water once you are through with your periods to prepare it for the next cycle. You have to keenly check for any wear n tear, which happens after many many uses, but still.

Conclusion: Talk About Periods

Let’s talk about periods openly! Explore tampons, pads, and menstrual cups to find the best way to manage menstruation comfortably and hygienically