Strawberry Week (PMS)

I was twelve years old and in the 6th grade when Aunt flow came to visit me for the first time. I remember wanting her to come because in comparison to my friends, I was a late bloomer. Now I wish I can turn back the time because she came with a fury like no other. Ever since that dreadful day October 7, 2005, I have felt a different type of pain that brought me to tears many times as a girl and made me miss some days of school.

Since my mom never had to deal with cramps in this magnitude, nothing was really done about it until about a year ago when I complained to my doctor. That story can be saved for another post though because this one is about the mood swings I experience because of Strawberry week.

Premenstrual syndrome, or commonly known as PMS, is real and it does not only include mood changes. Some of the other symptoms include pain in the breast, abdomen, back, joints, muscles, or pelvis. Some people experience constipation, diarrhea, nausea, passing excessive amounts of gas, or water retention. Your body and appetite can change and cause excessive hunger, fatigue, or loss of appetite. One can experience increased anxiety or general discontent, abdominal fullness or cramping. Some other side effects include acne, depression, headache, insomnia, irritability, lack of concentration, moodiness, painful menstruation, or weight gain.

Thankfully I do not experience all of these things, but I do experience a good chunk of them and I intend on sharing how I have learned to deal with it.

In order to keep suspense going I will post how I deal with each symptom in different posts, and I will also include my home remedies for it.

For this week's post, I will share how I deal with my sudden mood swings. First, I track my time of the month every month. I know my cycle is 25 days and on day 22, I can feel an attitude shift. This month, I was angry. I was lucky enough to not have to surround myself with people, but in the instances where I would have had no choice, I had to learn to follow the old saying " If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." Live by this ladies and I promise it will avoid conflict. I also walk around with treats that I know will make me happy. I have a really bad sweet tooth, so I always have some type of chocolate or piece of candy in my purse. It works for me. Another suggestion is to take moments in the day to meditate for short time frames. If you work at a desk, simply closing your eyes for a quick sixty seconds and clearing your mind can also grant you a moment of peace.

When dealing with your significant other, warn him or her that you are not in the mood. A simple warning should be enough for them to understand that it is that time of the month and you are not too happy about it. If for some reason you guys get into a heated argument anyways, try to stop yourself before you say something that you may later regret because I have found that those mood swings are hard to explain a week later when you come back down to your regular self.

Overall, just be mindful that PMS is real, cramps hurt and sometimes your period can turn you into a monster, but it is not who you truly are. In about 3 or four days, your moodiness should subside and you will come back to your regular self. Apologize if need be and enjoy the rest of your cycle.