Seven Ways to Deal with Menstrual Symptoms

Before and during their periods, women can suffer from a host of unpleasant menstrual symptoms, like bloating, water retention, breast tenderness, and menstrual cramps.

Here are some home remedies that will help you deal with the most common menstrual symptoms.

Eat lighter meals to lessen menstrual cramps.

Cut back on the heavy meals. Eating several small, light meals a day, instead of a few big meals that could upset your stomach, well lessen the severity of menstrual cramps.

You should also cut back on spicy, greasy foods.

Avoid caffeine to lessen menstrual pain and anxiety.

Avoid caffeine as much as possible before and during your period. Caffeine can contribute to menstrual pain and discomfort. Caffeine is also a mood-altering substance which can make you anxious and nervous. So, if you suffer from mood swings or depression during your period, caffeine will only make it worse.

So, avoiding chocolate, tea, and sodas that contain caffeine will help to lessen these menstrual symptoms. If you have to have a cup of coffee before you go to work in the morning, switch to decaf.

Cut out salt to lessen water retention and bloating.

Next to sweet treats, salty snacks are what women crave most when they are on their period. But salt will contribute to bloating and water retention worse, two of the most unpleasant menstrual symptoms.

Try to avoid salty snacks. And leave the salt shaker on the table. Look for other ways to season your food. You might find that you really like those salt alternatives.

Alcohol will make you retain water.

Like salt, alcohol also causes you to retain water. So, if you suffer from water retention and bloating during your period, drinking alcohol will make it worse.

Calcium can help alleviate menstrual cramps.

Women who take calcium seem to suffer less from the pain of menstrual cramps than those who don't. Women who take calcium also seem to suffer less from water retention and bloating.

Doctors suggest taking 800 milligrams of calcium a day, the Recommended Daily Allowance. You should also eat food rich in calcium, like milk, low-fat yogurt, and cheese.

Vitamin E might help reduce breast pain.

Some women have found that taking vitamin E can help reduce breast pain, which often accompanies menstrual cramps.

Take the Pill to lighten the flow.

If you have a heavy menstrual flow, talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking a birth control pill. Taking an oral contraceptive can lighten menstrual flow. Taking the Pill can also help if you suffer from severe menstrual cramps.