Picture this, you wake up one day feeling like something’s wrong. Your stomach seems upset. You‘re brushing your teeth and notice your skin is breaking out. Did you eat something wrong? What was your last meal? Arre yaar! You check the dates and there it is..your long-time yaar or dushman. Your period. And its PMS.
Worse than the actual period days are the last 2 weeks leading up to it. PMS…naam to suna hi hoga. Over 90% of women experience premenstrual syndrome symptoms in one way or the other. While for some it’s a walk in the park, others walk through hell. But why oh why? The answer is straightforward: hormonal imbalance.
Why Do You Experience PMS Prior To Your Period?
PMS is a set of mental and physical symptoms that occur before your menstruation cycle on a regular basis. They can interfere with your daily routine and sometimes mess things up.
Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone assist in regulating your menstrual cycle. During your menstrual cycle, several hormones fluctuate: Before ovulation [or your reproductive window], oestrogen is dominant, and after ovulation [the days before your menstruation starts], progesterone is dominant. PMS symptoms occur because of this shift in your hormonal balance.
10 PMS Signs Your Period Is About To Start
Let’s have a look at some signs that say ‘knock knock, your period is here!’
1. Menstrual Cramp
Prostaglandins, hormone-like molecules that tell your uterine muscles to contract (resulting in the shedding of the uterus lining) during your period, are the source of period-related stomach pains you experience.
Ye dard khatam kyun nahi hota..Menstrual cramps are one of the common (and painful) symptoms of the impending period. Prostaglandins, hormone-like molecules that tell your uterine muscles to contract (resulting in the shedding of the uterus lining) during your period, are the source of period-related stomach pains you experience. The ache from your tightening muscles might often radiate to your lower back.
Some people are more prone to these symptoms in the days leading up to their period than others. However, don’t automatically disregard cramping as a normal part of having a period. Speak to a healthcare expert if you’re suffering pain that prevents you from going about your daily activities. They can help you in finding ways to feel better and ensure that the discomfort is not caused by anything else.
2. You’re Having Mood Swings
The rise and fall of hormones is known to be linked to emotional symptoms, particularly the drop in oestrogen, which can make you feel depressed and irritated.
Idhar chala mein udhar chala..you go from angrily shouting at your sibling to crying and heaving. Are your emotions taking you on a roller coaster ride in one single day? If that’s the case, this might be a warning sign that your period is about to come.
The rise and fall of hormones are known to be linked to emotional symptoms, particularly the drop in oestrogen, which can make you feel depressed and irritated. However, if your PMS symptoms are extreme and disrupt your everyday life, it could be an indication of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe type of PMS. Around the time of your menstruation, this commonly presents as anxiety or depression. Consider talking to a health professional if you’re not sure.
Listen To 10 Chummy Hits That Should Make It To Your Period Playlist
3. Your Skin Is Breaking Out
A spike in progesterone before a period can lead to acne breakouts by increasing sebum (oil) production in your skin.
Have you ever seen that your skin is the most prone to breakouts on the days you’re due? Yes, #beenthere. It can be really inconvenient, right? But, if you find any consolation and it helps you deal with these issues, you might be interested to know that more than half of women say that acne symptoms worsen in the week leading up to their period.
A spike in progesterone before a period can lead to acne breakouts by increasing sebum (oil) production in your skin.
4. Breasts Feel Tender / Sore
Oestrogen causes milk glands to grow, and progesterone causes breast ducts to enlarge.
On the days leading up to your period, it’s usual for breasts to feel extra sensitive or even sore. Hormone fluctuations can cause soreness and swelling in the breasts. Why? Oestrogen causes milk glands to grow, and progesterone causes breast ducts to enlarge. When both of these factors are present, your breasts can become rather painful.
Remember to get to know your breasts and how they regularly look and feel. Examine them in the days following your period’s conclusion, when your breasts are the least swollen and painful. Remember that breast tenderness before your period is normal, but if you have any other concerns or detect a change in your breasts, you should definitely see a doctor.
5. You Feel Bloated
…excessive amounts of progesterone can impede digestion, resulting in constipation and bloating.
Bloating is a perfectly typical, albeit unappealing, period symptom. Bloating is caused by hormonal fluctuations; for example, excessive amounts of progesterone can impede digestion, resulting in constipation and bloating. Since you start craving a lot of salty and sweet food items, you also retain a lot of water leading to bloating.
If your bloating symptoms remain after your period has passed, you should see a doctor to rule out anything more serious.
6. Super Tired / Fatigued
Serotonin levels, a brain chemical that influences mood, frequently fall in tandem with oestrogen levels.
You’re not alone if you’re running on fumes and can’t get a good night’s sleep before your period starts. Changes in hormones and brain chemicals in the days leading up to your period might have an impact on your mood and sleep. Serotonin levels, a brain chemical that influences mood, frequently fall in tandem with oestrogen levels.
High levels of progesterone, which plays a crucial role in your pregnancy, play a role in the second half of the menstrual cycle as well. Fatigue is also an early pregnancy sign. Many early pregnancy symptoms, including cramping, mood swings, breast tenderness, and weariness, are similar to the symptoms you could have before your period.
7. Your Discharge Is Dry
To boost the odds of conception, your cervix generates more cervical mucus around ovulation, and your discharge may have a raw egg white quality.
Vaginal discharge varies during your period and is frequently a reliable indicator of when you’re most fertile. To boost the odds of conception, your cervix generates more cervical mucus around ovulation, and your discharge may have a raw egg white quality. However, it usually looks different immediately before your period. Because this is when you’re least fertile, you may have no discharge at all or it may be sticky.
8. Headaches
Menstrual migraines are one of the most common side effects of oestrogen deficiency.
Headache is yet another common symptom that may visit you when you are expecting your period. Menstrual migraines are one of the most common side effects of oestrogen deficiency. Around 60 per cent to 70 per cent of menstrual women say their periods cause headaches.
9. Diarrhoea Or Constipation
Constipation is more common around the time of ovulation, when hormone levels are higher.
You may experience constipation or diarrhoea in the 14 days leading up to your menstruation. Constipation is more common around the time of ovulation when hormone levels are higher. You may get diarrhoea as your period comes and your hormones decline.
Read: 10 Tips To Deal With Diarrhoea Or Constipation During Periods
10. Trouble Sleeping
Try rolling into a foetal position. This takes off pressure from your abdominal muscles and it’s one of the best ways to ease cramp pains.
Now with all of this trouble brewing up in your body, it might be difficult to catch some rest. You might face trouble falling asleep or getting enough sleep. Try rolling into a foetal position. This takes off pressure from your abdominal muscles and it’s one of the best ways to ease cramp pains.
Try lighting a soothing candle or listening to your favourite album to distract yourself.
Every woman’s experience with PMS symptoms is different. And, let’s face it, dealing with PMS isn’t exactly a stroll in the park. The good news is that as your period begins, most PMS symptoms should begin to fade. #BeALittleMore prepared with period tracking devices, so you’re mentally ready to face the problems and deal with them.
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