How To Cope With Period Pain & More
Your daughter has probably heard of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and period cramps, but she may not know exactly what they are or how to cope with them.
For some, PMS means feeling a bit out of sorts, while for others, menstrual cramps and mood swings can be debilitating.
Let’s learn more and see how you can help.
Things she might experience
The chances are your daughter will experience at least one - or a combination of several - of these premenstrual syndrome symptoms in the days leading up to her period:
Headaches
Upset stomach
Cramps
Pimples / acne
Mood swings
Bloating
These tend to peak just before the start of a girl’s period and disappear during it.
Mood swings can vary in severity, from mild irritability or anger to anxiety and feeling tearful.
Help your daughter cope with what can seem like a rollercoaster of emotions by encouraging her to:
Practice deep-breathing exercises – meditative exercises can calm mind and body.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet – she may crave junk food round her period, but large amounts of salt, sugar, and fat can play havoc on her mood.
Get regular exercise – suggest she gets active for at least 20 minutes a day, even if it’s just a brisk walk.
Get a good night’s sleep – encourage her to get at least eight hours, especially the week before her period.
Menstrual cramps can feel like a sharp, stabbing pain that might make her double over, or a nagging pain that spreads through her belly and lower back. Some girls also experience dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, or even vomiting.
If your daughter is suffering from cramps, she can try a combination of these steps:
1. Stay active - exercise and stretching can ease cramps
2. Lie down / rub abdomen to relax the muscles
3. Take a warm bath
4. Use a hot water bottle on her lower abdomen
5. Ask her doctor for herbal remedies or medicines to relieve symptoms
If your daughter is still struggling to cope – whether it’s with severe menstrual cramps or low mood – it might be worth suggesting she make a diary of her symptoms for two to three cycles. She can then take this to her OBGYN to check whether everything is normal.
