PMS Talk 101: Your Guide to Preventing Common PMS Symptoms

Do you experience irritability, bloating or sudden, debilitating cramps every month? If you're a woman, you probably recognize these symptoms as PMS, otherwise known as premenstrual syndrome. To the medical community, PMS is a sign that menstruation is approaching. To us, it's a major pain. Here is a quick guide to help you prevent these annoying symptoms.

The Symptom: Mood Swings
Feeling sad, happy or angry are normal reactions to emotional events, such as a break-up. When these reactions happen in the span of a day, however, it may be a sign you're suffering from PMS-induced mood swings.

To help prevent them, make sure to stay physically active for at least 30 minutes a day. Physical activity helps prevent mood swings by releasing endorphins, the feel-good chemicals secreted from your brain. My recommendation: chase away your bad mood with a short walk, swim, or a round of kickboxing.

Limiting your caffeine use is also important for preserving your good mood. Why? Caffeine can actually make your mood worse by causing anxiety, which is a natural side effect of this drug. I like to switch from diet soda to green tea during my PMS, which contains only a miniscule amount of natural caffeine.

The Symptom: Bloating
During your PMS phase, you may experience more water retention, which can lead to bloating around the abdomen. This can make you look bigger, even if you haven't gained any weight. Although diuretics can offer short-term relief, I recommend staying hydrated instead. According to Discovery Fit and Health, drinking up to 10 glasses of water a day can help your body flush out excess fluid, leading to a slimmer, leaner appearance. Hydrating fruits or vegetables are also essential, such as tomatoes, celery, and oranges. Drink at least one full glass of water every hour to stay hydrated.

Make sure to also limit your salt intake, which increases fluid retention. My advice: Limit high-sodium foods a week before your period to prevent bloating. I usually limit processed foods, load up on fibrous vegetables and avoid using salt when possible.

The Symptom: Cramps
We're all familiar with the throbbing, burning pain in our uterus as our body prepares to menstruate, called cramps. It's a pain, but thankfully there are ways to prevent this painful PMS symptom. Here's how to prevent cramps.

- Take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). These drugs can actually prevent menstrual pain. I like to take one NSAID pill right when I feel a tinge of pain to stay cramp-free. These drugs work best when the pain first starts, not when you're in the middle of a serious cramp attack.

- Exercise. Remember those endorphins? They can also help alleviate pain. Add exercise to your daily routine to prevent cramps.

Ready to tackle your PMS symptoms head on? These tips can help prevent PMS symptoms from ruining your day.

Source:
Editors of Consumer Guide, "8 Home Remedies for Water Retention", health.howstuffworks.com.