PREMESTRUAL PHASE: know the days that herald the menstruation
For some, it is enough to mention these two words to evoke pain in the lower abdomen, headache or simply a black mood. "They're going to come to you, aren't they?" Who among us has never heard of these words: the feminist in us would like to send them to that country but the truth is that in the days preceding the bleeding and the dissolution of all tension, it is as if we suddenly saw a storm approach, the clouds gather on the horizon and the world became inhospitable. From one moment to the next the partner annoys us, the colleague who chews is unbearable and above all, we treat each other with much more severity than before. The premenstrual phase is identifiable in those 7-10 days prior to menstruation, in which a person perceives significant changes, many of which are unwelcome. Let's see which ones and how to deal with them.
SUMMARY
Premenstrual phase: what is it?
Premenstrual symptoms: what they are
Premenstrual swelling
Premenstrual pain
Premenstrual hunger
Premenstrual phase: what is it?
When premenstrual syndrome begins, it manifests itself in a subtle but unequivocal way: we suddenly stop perceiving the radiance of the days of ovulation in which we are full of energy and good will and, as if a trap door had been opened under our feet, we find ourselves in a suddenly more hostile and, for some, stormy environment. Obviously we are not talking about external circumstances, but about an internal, emotional, psychological and, obviously also physical condition, since the blood is preparing to be expelled and therefore the uterus must begin to communicate this eviction. Starting from these variations, each person can feel a change that can choose whether to "undergo" or whether to cross in harmony to discover the wonderful hormonal compositions that our biology can create.
Premenstrual symptoms: what they are
According to various researches, 4 out of 100 menstruating people in Europe perceive the period preceding menstruation as a phase of discomfort, in which we try to alleviate all the signs that arise, including the mood that often, with good reason, is among the most explosive symptoms of PMS. What are these symptoms? When does PMS start? The first symptom is certainly a progressive sensation of swelling : the breasts are turgid in most cases and painful to the touch, the hands can swell and the shoes are inexplicably tight. Among the more subtle symptoms are emotional ones: annoyance, headache, impatience, nervous hunger or even unexpected emotional outbursts. To aggravate the picture, a common constipation. There is no single origin or cause for this which in fact is defined as a syndrome: the factors could in fact be linked to the functionality of some neurotransmitters in relation to the fluctuation of hormones . Precisely because it is a phenomenon that must be embraced in its complexity, many people are choosing paths that cover all phases of the cycle with supplements : the premenstrual syndrome is in fact the daughter of the previous phases each time. Yes, according to the literature, a progesterone deficiency could contribute to the discomfort, but it is also possible that our choices, our emotional experience then manifests itself in a severe way with unjustified or unexpected premenstrual anxiety. The days leading up to bleeding have often been underestimated or not listened to, PMS is a message we must learn to listen to.
Premenstrual swelling
A Michelin man: not only do many of us gain a few pounds, but they also swell the abdomen and legs! The latter is caused by the notorious water retention, a phenomenon for which waste is poured out, which the lymphatic system is unable to drain, inside the tissues, thus creating that nice block of swelling called edema. Here the culprit is progesterone: it is in fact that, progressively increasing from ovulation to bleeding, makes the walls of the vessels more and more permeable, which are particularly affected by this hormone. It is always he - the progesterone - that decreases the motility of the smooth muscles causing a distension and consequent abdominal swelling. There are several strategies and natural remedies that can help you reduce the appearance of this symptom, starting with nutrition but also taking advantage of Mother Nature's wonderful tools.
Premenstrual pain
The pain does not only affect the pelvis or the primary genital area: it can hurt the head, stomach, breasts, there can be abdominal cramps, nausea, exhaustion that can also make us wonder if it is PMS or pregnancy, because the difference it is often thin. The "culprit" for breast painful to touch is the usual progesterone, which in fact also intervenes during the first days of pregnancy. When the flow appears, the breasts soften and are less painful. Stomach pain, sometimes accompanied by nausea or constipation, can be attributable to temporary intestinal irritation and the headache is due to the drop in estrogen that occurs in those days.
Hunger in the premenstrual phase
With the sharp drop in progesterone and estrogen levels there is a corresponding decrease in the production of serotonin, the famous hormone of good mood. Serotonin interacts with different receptors, performing different functions according to the various parts of the body. This is why many of us often feel melancholy during pre-menstruation. And what seems to give us the illusion of being more cheerful and relaxed? That's right, carbohydrates and sweets . But this craving for sweets is also linked to the drop in blood sugar levels, again due to hormonal reasons. Certainly taking an adequate caloric intake can help us deal with menstruation, but without exaggerating, of course. Choose some foods that can quench this hunger without affecting your nutritional levels and if the situation is out of control there are natural supplements or herbal teas against nervous hunger.