When The Going Gets Rough: Where To Find PMS Support

There is a common thread that binds all women together. We all get to enjoy the blessed experience of menstruation. What a joy! Really, it is something that helps us understand each other and gives us the opportunity to empathize and support one another. After all, nobody enjoys that week or two before menses, no matter how few or small your symptoms might be.

Of course some women have very few symptoms of PMS every month. For them it might not be such a big deal, but there is still the bleeding itself, which nobody looks forward to. And we can all agree that it is at least an inconvenience, if not a huge bother.

Still, most women do understand about the heavier implications of PMS. They also have those feelings of irritation and unhappiness. They might also have the headaches, the tender breasts, acne and food cravings. To a greater or lesser degree they know what it's like to suffer from PMS.

Even just knowing that you're not alone in what you are going through can sometimes help make things a little easier for you, but it can't take away your symptoms. However, having a close friend or family member that can give you PMS support and understanding when you need it most can be very helpful.

Because of the nature of some of the symptoms, those close to a woman are likely to suffer from unexpected or erratic behavior. Since irritability is so commonly experienced, it means that women are often very impatient or more easy to anger. This can be frustrating for those closest to them, unless they understand the source of the problem and do their best to be forgiving and helpful.

It can also be beneficial to talk through some of your feelings with someone who understands. Although whining and complaining are not the best way to work through problems, it can be helpful to explain what you're feeling and have a sympathetic listener now and again.

It's also important to find PMS support by making your symptoms as harmless as possible. Following a few simple diet and lifestyle changes can have a big impact on the severity of your symptoms. Eating more, smaller meals and choosing healthy foods will give your body energy and help to keep your blood sugar levels intact, which help to keep you from having the highs and lows that come with binging on sweets and other simple carbohydrates.

Getting exercise is a great natural way to relieve stress and enhance your mood, too. However, it might be hard to force yourself to get out and move, so having a friend to „force” you to do it (by going with you) is another good form of PMS support.

If your symptoms are really severe and you feel out of control or that you can't function normally during the weeks preceding your period, talk to your doctor about other things you can do to help alleviate your symptoms.

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