What is premenstrual syndrome?

Perhaps you noticed changes in your body and mind before your period? Pimples, headaches, mood swings or fatigue? This is very common and is called premenstrual syndrome.

An important phase of your menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is made up of 4 phases: menstruation, the pre-ovulatory phase, ovulation and the premenstrual phase.

The 4th phase: the pre-menstrual phase, begins 7 to 10 days before menstruation. During this time, if there is no pregnancy, your body prepares to evacuate the endometrium that was not used to accommodate a baby.

Just before your period, your body produces hormones, which can trigger several physical and psychological symptoms. You may have pain, feel tired or irritable… This is why we often talk about premenstrual syndrome (or PMS) although it is not an illness. The intensity of the signs varies from one girl to another and from one month to another. In Weerwi you will discover several tips to better live this period.

If your pain affects your personal or school life, do not hesitate to talk to a health professional.

What does the premenstrual period feel like?

During this phase of your cycle, you can, for example:

have pimples and acne;
have stomach, headache or back pain;
have swollen breasts and lower abdomen;
feel irritable, angry, sad or tired;
feel nausea;
be constipated or have diarrhea.
These symptoms vary from woman to woman and from month to month.

When these symptoms are very, very strong (strong anger, extreme mood swings, depression or anxiety), it is a complication called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It’s rather rare.

Other girls don’t experience any symptoms before their period.

Tips for better experiencing the premenstrual period

To soothe premenstrual syndrome and get through this phase before your period, the first thing is to understand what is happening in your body. We have lots of tips to help you.

Here are our magic tips:

take the time to slow down, stay calm, observe and reflect.
stock up on hot drinks (if possible, without sugar) and drink plenty of water;
avoid coffee, tea and sugary drinks;
eat fruits (especially bananas), vegetables, cashews, cowpeas, lentils and moringa (foods rich in magnesium calm irritability and bloating);
if your stomach hurts, put something warm on it (hot water bottle, hot towel);
relax and avoid stress;
do some gentle sport: like walking or stretching.
The good news

During your premenstrual phase, you also have superpowers!

It’s a time of the month when you know what you want, you don’t give in and you make good decisions. You are a bit like a Queen!