BEAUTY ARTICLE
HOW TO BEAT PMS & PERIOD PAINS


1. HOW TO BEAT PMS.
Let's get this right. PMS is not caused by men.
What is PMS? It's Pre-Menstrual Symptoms-
Symptoms that occur up to two weeks before your period is due.
As women, we all are aware what the symptoms are-
and this can range from the feeling of sudden depression,
the flight of mood swings, paranoia... or even, all of them at once.
Our minds cannot function properly.
Sometimes, I call it, a temporary state of hormonally-induced idiocy!

But for a man, this is a dangerous time to be
around a woman.  It sucks. And men will never
understand it, and it is the only thing that
we can have an excuse for behaving badly. 
Because it isn't our fault. But we can control it.

MARK THE DATES.

For those who don't keep a diary, I suggest you get some sort
of calendar to help you mark the date of your period every month.
I usually put an asterisk on the day my period comes, so I am aware if my
next period would be on time (which it never is,) or if it comes late,
and by how many days.

This may sound completely pointless and time-wasting, but you know what?
Too bad you were born a woman.
This helps you keep a good track on your menstrual cycle, as well as
preparing for it-  and so that you don't have to have no clue when your doctor
asks when your period is next due. 

EAT WELL.

Having the right diet and nutrition is shown to relieve PMS by improving
brain chemistry and hormonal balances.

Food changes hormones (and helps to improve your skin.)
A week before your period starts, make sure that your diet is not heavy in
salts, alchohol and caffeine- this keeps your water retention and bloating down,
whilst alchohol can act as a depressant, and caffeine increases irratability,
nervousness and insomnia.  

Make sure you eat plenty of foods containing iron and vitamins.
Have plenty of healthy wholefoods such as brown rice, wholemeal bread,
oats, and beans. Include vegetables, and a complex of carbohydrates such as
carrots, tomatoes, brocolli, sweet potatoes etc.

It is shown that women with PMS are likely to lack in most of these.
Take your daily multivitamins that contain all the essential vitamins
and minerals that is required to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Vitamins B Complex, D, and E have all shown to help deal with PMS, 
and also improves the quality of your skin.

Avoid:
- Fatty foods like dougnuts, fries, potato chips, etc and
- Junk food such as sweets, cakes and biscuits. 

Whatever you do, don't ever skip breakfast. Or you'll just feel shit.

LOVE YOURSELF.

PMS is all about resentment, not feeling understood or even appreciated.
Life may suck as it is, so why make it even worse?
If you feel like crap then go out, have more 'me-time,' and pamper yourself. 
Read a book, get a pedicure.. or even better, go to a Spa.

And this is also where retail therapy... can do wonders.

Buy a new pair of shoes, try out new clothes.
Go on eBay and find the greatest bargains.
If you're broke, it's ok. Window shop. List all the things you love and want,
and you'll have some things you can aim for.
When you come home, fix yourself to a warm bubble bath,
light up some scented candles and sip on some decent red wine.
Life, has never been better.

EXERCISE.

Regular exercise has been proven to benefit women with PMS.
Now here's a good resolution:
Find a type of exercise that you like, and become good at it!

Swimming, walking or jogging at the park (hey, no membership required!),
tennis, badminton, aerobics and even yoga can help to improve your health,
hormone balance and mood- it can also increase your energy levels,
tolerance of pain and even give you a good night's sleep.

And did you know? When you are exercising, your brain releases
more 'beta-endorphin' hormones, which gives out good and positive thoughts.
Exercising also helps to improve blood circulation throughout the body,
which helps to clear up skin, as well as improving skin tone.  


  

                        THE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR MEN

 
Your ultimate survival guide to help you get through your girlfriends,
daughters, sisters, or wives during their PMS!



1. Give her a hug. The easiest thing you can do, yet the greatest affection
that will mean so much.
2. Buy her chocolate! Diamonds are a girl's best friend... but when it comes to
the menstrual cycle.... Ferrero Rocher..? Mmmm.
3. Leave the house. And give her space. This time, you have an excuse to be
with your homies.
4. DVD's and a tub of Ben & Jerry's.... what more can I say?
5. Go to the corner shop and buy her magazines.
6. Make her a full english breakfast = scores you big brownie points.
(so you can go play football for the day)
7. A Massage. Don't know how to give a massage?
It's ok, it's the thought that counts.
The fact that you offered would make her frown, turn upside down!

2. HOW TO BEAT PERIOD PAINS

 
After PMS, comes the period pain to finish it.
For Men, what you thought was the end... in fact gets worse.

  (or not!)

My period usually lasts five days and the first day is always the worst day.
If I have a day off on that day (thank the lord!) I will stay at home in bed.
I don't go anywhere. And, I have an excuse to make my boyfriend
become my slave. I'm just joking, he's a real sweetheart. 

I usually use a hot water bottle that helps to ease the pain, and I've also
tried those warm patches that you can stick on your back. 
I would really recommend it for those who are in retail and have to 
stand all day! It really, really helps.
 
Someone told me that Asians have heavier periods.
I guess this is why they make the best period pads.
Last year when I went to Japan, they had invented just 2 inch period pads
that had the ability to absorb a cup of water. I found it amazing stuff!

Not that my period is ever that bad, but anyway, it was just for the record.

 DRINK .
Drinking tea actually makes your period more heavy.
Instead, drink plenty of water to get rid of that bloated feeling-
let it flush through and you won't feel bloated.

And not to make it too fine to the point, but during your period-
you will lose some blood which can contribute to becoming anaemic.
Laugh all you want, but in some cases this can happen.  
The symptoms include tiredness, feeling very weak, and in severe cases
it can cause breathlessness and dizziness.

Red wine is a good source of iron.

 EAT CHOCOLATE.

Accompanied by caffeine and a good book there's no better comfort!
It is a well-known remedy in all of our good books that can help to cure
everything from break-ups to stress. For some of us, it is our bestest friends
during times of PMS and period pains.
 
Chocolate contains iron that helps to combat tiredess, and magnesium that
helps to regulate moods.

 SLEEP & REST.

Do what your body wants you to do. If you are getting stressed over the fact
that you just want to sit down and rest- then do it. The housework can wait.
If you just want to curl up in bed and cry, then go ahead! Let it all out.

Make sure you get plenty of sleep- and if you're lucky you will sleep through
the worst part of the cramps and wake up feeling slightly bloated but
relatively energetic for the rest of the day.
Stop fighting with your body and going beyond your limits.

 RELAX.
Spend your time doing something that you want to do.
Watch a romantic chick flick, or something that you've seen
over a million times. 

Use a hot water bottle to soothe painful cramps.
Avoid making important decisions, or attending to meetings.

 DRUGS.
To deal with mild period pains, especially when you are working-
you can take over-the-counter painkiller drugs such as Ibuprofen
and Paracetemol.

Birth control pills also help particularly heavy and/or painful periods.
It also helps to reduce ovarian cysts, and is most often associated with
a reduced risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.
It is known that some birth control pills also makes a huge difference by
even improving the skin.

How do you beat period pains?