PMS

Women may experience emotional and physical changes before and during their periods. It's not clear what causes PMS. Most women get symptoms a week or two before their periods. This is not an imaginary condition, even though people make lots of jokes about it and don't take it seriously. You can experience food cravings, sore breasts, bloating, and mood swings.

What are some of the symptoms?

• Sudden mood swings
• Irritability
• Crying easily or for no reason
• Feeling very tense
• Food cravings
• Pain in the stomach, abdomen, or back
• Sore or swollen breasts
• Bloating

How can you treat PMS?
About 1 in 5 women have PMS symptoms that make life difficult. Hormone changes cause most of the PMS symptoms, but there are things you can do to make yourself more comfortable.

• Eat a balanced diet and cut back on salt.
• Relax. Deep breathing exercises, writing in a journal, or “time out” activities can help your mood.
• Take pain relievers, like Panado, for cramps or other aches.
• Use a heating pad or hot water bottle.
• Talk to your pharmacist if your symptoms are so bad you can't function normally. If necessary, your doctor or health care provider can give you prescription medication.