PMS- Myths and Truths

Does PMS really make women moody? Is she really 'hormonal'? Does women have food cravings before the 'monthly visitor'? Do woman have trouble with relationship, when periods is around the corner? Are they always PMSing? NO-NO-NO!

Talking about 'that time of the month', that comes before 'that time of the month'!

Premenstrual Syndrome or as stand-up comedians make fun of it- PMSing, is a group of symptoms that occur in women, typically between the period of ovulation and a period. Its not like one-size-fits-all-phenomenon, and some women may suffer from more serious symptoms called- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). 

While TV shows, movies and stand-up comedy circuit have numerous PMS-related jokes, but for women who suffer from PMS, it is no laughing matter. There is a lot of misinformation about this monthly event. I just wanna bust some myths and then clear it with the fact about it. And no, we girls AREN'T PMSing everytime, NO we are not always on our periods!

                                                                             

So, let's set the record straight, on whats fact and whats fiction-

1. Myth- Every women has PMS.

Truth- No, all women don't go through PMS. Some women go through, just the luteal phase only, without experiencing PMS. And, some girls go through some severe PMS, which is PMDD, which can be serious irritability, which can turn into depression and even suicidal thoughts!

                                                                                          

2. Myth- All PMS symptoms are same.

Truth- NO! There are over 200 different symptoms. Just as every women is her own person, each women will react different with PMS. Symptoms differ from emotional to behavioural , and from social to lonely. While some 'only'  experience pain, some don't even have any kinda PMS!

                                                                                    

3. Myth- Women are just 'HORMONAL' during periods!

Truth- Calling a woman 'hormonal', if she is acting differently before that 'time of the month' (Oh, fuck it! Why can't you just call it PERIODS!), is typically pretty damn insulting! PMS is women's response to the hormonal changes, when their periods are approaching. The physical and emotional changes is thought to be the response to falling and rising hormonal level, mainly (estrogen and progesterone). Most women have normal level of hormones other than the two sex hormones!

                                                                                

4. Myth- PMS is nothing but, a modern-day invention!

Truth- PMS was known during the ancient time. Greek physician Hippocrates, was the first one to propose that women go through behavior changes in the lead up to menstruation. He stated heaviness and headaches as the symptoms as signs of the menstrual cycle. 

                                                                                   

5. Myth- PMS is worst in your teens, when you first start getting periods. 

Truth- This may be disappointing to listen, but PMS can worsen in your 30's and 40's, and even when you are approaching menopause. People may think this is correct, as during our teens, we tend to have behavior changes anyway, so during PMS- we tend to have more mood eruptions!

                                                                                     

6. Myth- PMS food cravings are illusional.

Truth- This isn't true, not at all! I am someone who has weird food carvings during PMS and periods even. Cold drinks, Pizza, Chocolave Cake and Blue Layz are my favorite during PMS. Actually, food carvings is the most prevalent of PMS symptoms. A study shows that- during our menstrual cycle, our hormones fluctuate, with estrogen and progesterone levels rising and falling. This fluctuation can influence the brain, including the brain chemical called serotonin, which affects mood. Carbohydrate consumption shoots up which increases serotonin release. Carbs can be salty and sweet.

                                                                                  

7. Myth- Exercise can worsen PMS.

Truth- Exercise helps balance your hormones. If you aren't moving your body enough, PMS can even worsen! Exercise can actually relieve the pain and symptoms of PMS, especially aerobic exercises!

                                                                                

8. Myth- PMS is nothing just hell lot of mood swings and sexually aroused!

Truth- NO, PMS isn't mood-swings everytime, and every woman isn't 'horny' everytime they are through PMS! I have mentioned it before, PMS has over 200 symptoms. Mood-swings is definitely one of them, and a major one. But, mood-swings every time and anytime of the month is definitely not PMS, and don't label your mistakes as her mood-swings everytime, you must be pretty annoying and disturbing! 

                                                                               

If your are suffering from PMS, know that you are not alone. Every girl goes through it one time or the other. A girl has her periods approximately 400 times in her whole life, that means that you go through PMS that many times! 

Speak up and seek solutions that may make you feel better. Embrace periods as a gift from god to the womankind, because you are the one to keep the human existence going! They exist because, we bleed! Medication is not the only solution, there are many other solutions to it, alternative treatments like-exercise, nutritional treatments and a better balanced diet!

Love yourself, speak for yourself, pamper yourself !💆

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