|
A Vicious Cycle Menstrual Cramps Can Put a Damper on Sex |
|
|
|
|
Written by Dawn C.
|
|
Monday, 14 August 2006 |
Premenstrual syndrome, also known as PMS, is real. It affects the way of life for billions of women, yet so many women do not know there are ways to battle this problem. To begin let's identify the specific symptoms you are experiencing. The normal symptoms are fatigue, depression, irritability, angry outbursts, cravings for sweet and/or salty foods, headache, abdominal bloating, anxiety, confusion, difficulty with concentration and/or memory, swollen hands or feet, tender breasts and tearfulness. Which are all normal and due to the effects of the progesterone in your system. With this in mind, keep a daily log of the dates you start to experience certain symptoms. These charts can enable you to predict the onset of your internal warfare and help you plan in advance for its oncoming effects.
Plan positive sexual times for you and your husband for the two weeks leading up to your symptoms. Depending on the severity of your PMS, plan for the type of sexual encounter that would meet your needs and help relieve your stress while in this difficult time. During those difficult two weeks, give yourself time in your schedule for lots of rest. Schedule a walk and have a chat together before your sexual time. Start your actual physical time with a relaxing bubble bath or a warm shower. Planning for your PMS will reduce the damage to your sex life and increase your partners awareness.
It might also be feasible to treat your PMS. Nutritionists and medical researchers recommend avoiding fat, sodium, alcohol and caffeine, increasing fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains, and drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day. Numerous nutritionists suggest avoiding red meats and dairy products and including a daily intake of safflower oil and Evening Primrose Oil. However, aerobic exercise is necessary. Exercise is known to stimulate the release of ankephalins and endorphins, neurotransmitters responsible for a person's sense of well being. They need to be elevated in women who have PMS. Many doctors suggest that taking a vitamin or mineral supplement helps to relieve mid to moderate symptoms. Two supplements which are often found to be effective are Optivite and Theraids, which are easily found at health food stores. If these measures do not relieve your symptoms enough to lift your sexual relationship, look for further medical assistance.
The exact cause or causes of PMS are unknown. Most professionals agree that PMS is a real physical disorder and not just a factor of being a woman. Many researchers have shown that whatever the cause is it rests within the woman's ovaries. PMS symptoms stop when ovaries are removed or inactivated by drugs or disease. The issue may lie in the progesterone, a natural hormone released at and after ovulation. The effects it has causes all the symptoms of PMS and early pregnancy.
Luckily, most women with PMS can receive effective treatment which is more natural and less expensive. However, you must keep a daily journal or chart of how you feel over three months. If you have PMS, your symptoms should concentrate on the seven to ten days prior to your period. For cramping and muscle aches, try over the counter NSAID pain relievers such as Aleve or Motrin-IB. If one brand is not effective enough, try another one. People can react differently to these medications. Make sure you follow the suggested dosages on the container. However, the new therma wraps work well and so do heating pads. Use these heating pads on the lower back or where you are feeling the muscle aches.
Lastly, large muscle exercises can alleviate stress and assist with depression. Walking, jogging, swimming or bike riding can relieve many symptoms. Stay clear of food cravings. Folklore says that if you crave something, your body must need it. That is absolutely not true. Much of the fatigue in PMS is the result of rapidly rising and falling blood sugar levels. Eating four to six small meals a day, rather than three, can help stabilize glucose levels. Avoid high sugar foods like candy, sodas, and chocolate. The same avoidance goes for alcohol and caffeine products. Alcohol acts like a sugar and caffeine adding to the general stress and anxiety levels. Stay away from salty foods like cheese, soups, smoked meats and fish, nuts, soy sauce and Oriental foods, as they are all high in salt. Your body only stores salt water. The kidney easily excretes plain water. Drink lots of plain water to aid in bloating and water retention.
By changing your diet, adding exercise and taking a few supplemental vitamins and minerals most of you will do very well. As for others with more severe symptoms, there are progesterone supplements or perhaps Prozac. The good news is that you can do something about the spectrum of symptoms of PMS. You can get back your self-control. You can fight and win your struggle to lessen and even eliminate PMS from your life. |
|
|