Now that we have taken the time to discuss the impact of Saturn's return throughout our 20s and early 30s, it's time to shed light on what could possibly occur as your hormones and menstrual period alternate. A lot of us women are suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) which, according to WomensHealth.gov, is "a health problem that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but is more serious. PMDD causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in the week or two before your period starts. Symptoms usually go away two to three days after your period starts."
Trust, I know from my own personal experience that these times can be challenging. The pain and tears that you feel go far beyond getting emotional while you're watching a drama series on Netflix. During the PMDD phase, you may feel like you're the only one but keep in mind that you aren't alone. Here are a few natural ways to alleviate PMDD and improve your symptoms.
1.Prepare for Your Period
Experiencing anxiety and crying hysterically just days before your period can be very tough. The last thing that you want to do in the midst of anxiety is rush and get prepared for your period once it arrives. The best way to stay in control of PMDD is to think ahead and be prepared. The first step would be to make your life easier by using a period tracker or downloading a period app that best suits you.
For example, the Flo App not only tracks your period, it explains your bodily functions before, during, and after your period. There are also surveys and articles that you can utilize to help you better understand your menstrual cycle. The anxiety and depression that you may feel before your period can catch you by surprise, so be proactive and go shopping to grab all of your pads, tampons, snacks, and aspirin before your cycle begins.
2.Eating Healthy Foods
During your menstrual cycle, a major way to combat PMDD is to eat healthy food before and during your cycle. Try not to let your cravings get the best of you. Avoid salty foods, spicy foods, red meat, coffee, sugar, and alcohol. Focus on high energy foods such as fruit, green vegetables, chicken, fish, beans, and nuts. If you would like something sweet to eat, treat yourself to dark chocolate or your favorite yogurt. PMDD can be exhausting and draining, so you want to watch your intake of unhealthy foods. Boost your energy with healthy foods and so that you can feel better about yourself.
3.Focus on Breathing
When PMDD hits you, things can get real. At times you can feel the frustration and anxiety approaching and at other times, it comes and goes sporadically. Whenever the tears start rolling uncontrollably, stop everything, have a seat, and focus on breathing. By focusing on breathing, you will lower your anxiety, release toxins, and calm your mind. Don't rush the process. Allow yourself to breathe and remember that it's not you, it's your emotions running through you.
4.Nature Meditation Music
You can fight through PMDD through music. Relax and calm your mind overnight or during your weekend by sleeping to meditation music. Nature sounds or sleep meditation helps to reduce stress, fall asleep faster, and sleep more deeply. Take your dreams to another place and ease your mind.
5.Spend More Time With Loved Ones
PMDD causes high mood swings, sadness, and feelings of hopelessness. It is very easy to get overwhelmed with your emotions and feel that you aren't deserving of love and support. You may feel as though you would rather be alone but in actuality, this is the time that you need to surround yourself by loved ones. Plan an outing or set aside time to spend with your family and friends. Try to be around the people that bring you joy and laughter. It is hard in the beginning but as time progresses, you won't regret it.
6.Talk About It
The hardest thing to do as you're going through PMDD is to discuss it, especially at a time when you don't fully understand your irritability. In order to open up about PMDD with others, you must first own it and be shameless. I'll never forget when I first started sharing my symptoms with my friends and feeling so embarrassed about it. Later, I came to find out they were also experiencing PMDD and had never discussed it.
Educate yourself and educate others about PMDD. People will get a chance to know you better and learn how to assist you with navigating through your anxiety. The people around you deserve to know, especially if you have a significant other or have a roommate. It's not easy but you can get through it together as a unit.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
10 Of The Absolute Best Period Hacks
The One Period Tracker You Should Be Using
I Tried CBD Products To Alleviate My Period Pain
Featured image by Shutterstock.
- PMS and PMDD | Cleveland Clinic ›
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Different from PMS? - Mayo Clinic ›
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder “PMDD” - National University of ... ›
- PMS & PMDD ›
- 8 Natural Ways to Treat PMS and PMDD ›
- PMDD: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms and Treatment ›
- 18 Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Symptoms & Remedies ›
- 12 PMDD natural treatment options ›
- Treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder - Harvard Health ›
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On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
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Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
My main motive? Mostly, I hope that it will serve as a solid reminder to embrace all of the things that you adore about this time of year, so long as you do it in moderation and you weigh the costs.
Especially as far as drinking alcohol is concerned.
PRO: Manages Blood Sugar Levels
GiphyHere’s something that you may have never seen coming. Were you aware of the fact that alcohol can actually help to stabilize your blood sugar? Yep, according to the American Diabetes Association, so long as you leave it to no more than 1-2 cocktails a day, alcohol may be able to lower your A1C levels. Pretty cool, right?
CON: It’s a Carcinogen
GiphyAlcohol is a carcinogen. The reason why this should somewhat alarm you is because carcinogens are things (like tobacco, UV rays, processed meats, etc.) that can increase your chances of being diagnosed with cancer (especially mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and breast cancer). There are various ways this happens including the fact that alcohol, specifically, can hinder your body from breaking down certain nutrients, it can cause your estrogen levels to spike and alcohol can also cause certain toxins to damage your DNA and certain bodily proteins over time.
PRO: Cultivates Euphoric Feelings
GiphyIf you find yourself feeling more euphoric while you’re enjoying a drink, it’s not all up in your head. Although, for the more part, alcohol is considered to be a depressant, when consumed in small amounts, it can provide a stimulant effect. This happens due to the fact that when you first start to consume alcohol, it causes the production of the feel-good hormone known as dopamine to increase — and since dopamine makes us all feel more relaxed and confident while heightening our senses of pleasure too…well, there you have it.
CON: May Increase Anxiety/Depression
GiphyAs they say, “what goes up, most come down” at some point — and that is what you have to be careful of when it comes to alcohol consumption. For instance, when you drink alcohol, although it tends to initially cause your dopamine levels to uptick, because it is a temporary bodily response, sometimes the dips are lower than the rises…and that is when anxiety starts to kick in. A similar point is made with depression because oftentimes, people with depression-related symptoms, will use alcohol as a way to deflect from what’s really going on with them — and that can make them feel even worse than ever once the buzz of alcohol starts to wear off.
PRO: Has Some Heart-Related Benefits
GiphyWhen it comes to your heart, there are interesting findings surrounding its relationship to alcohol. For instance, some research states that, so long as the consumption is moderate, alcohol can actually help to increase the good cholesterol in your system while also breaking down proteins that can potentially lead to blood clots; both of these factors alone can reduce your chances of dying from heart disease.
CON: Packs on Pounds
GiphyIt’s no secret that alcohol tends to contain quite a few calories. That’s why, it’s not uncommon for people who’ve lost weight to mention “I’ve stopped drinking” as one of the causes for the shed pounds. That’s not to say that there aren’t some alcoholic beverages that have less calories than others including vodka (133 calories per serving), white wine (148 calories per serving) and tequila (99 calories per shot). Just keep in mind that the more you drink, the more calories get into your system and the more weight you stand to gain.
PRO: Lowers Inhibitions
GiphyAlthough you really should only be uninhibited around people who you absolutely trust, if that person is your partner and you’re looking to have a pretty — eh hem — active evening, alcohol can certainly help to make that happen. The science of it all is the prefrontal cortex of your brain is what regulates your inhibitions and levels of self-control. Meanwhile, alcohol suppresses your inhibitions which can cause you to be more spontaneous and open to trying things that you might not immediately do if you were sober. And with the right individual, that can be sexually beneficial (emphasis on “right person”).
CON: Makes It Harder to Orgasm
GiphyOn the other hand, as odd as it may seem (in light of what I just said), if you have too much alcohol in your system, it could make climaxing difficult. That’s because orgasms happen, in part, due to your nervous system being stimulated — and since alcohol is technically a depressant…well, it could reduce nerve sensitivity (especially as far as your clitoris goes) for you while making it challenging for your partner to remain erect or have consistent stamina. And yeah, that sucks.
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‘Tis the season. And with that, if some wassails or hot buttered rums are in your immediate future — hey, don’t let me stop you — not even a lil’ bit.
All I’m saying is now that you know what alcoholic drinks have to offer (both ways), you can know exactly how to incorporate them into your holiday plans. Enjoy!
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