8 Signs Your Period Is Coming
Who else can sense their periods coming without even remembering the date? Well, we can’t deny this but your body does give out signs for you to understand that your period is coming. So it is very important for us to know what these signs are, this will help you to not freak out about your body’s changes before your period arrives.
Here are some common signs which indicate that your period is on its way.
1. Abdominal cramps
Who would have thought that cramps are gonna interrupt your peaceful life even before your period starts! As we call them, they are common PMS symptoms. Basically, menstrual cramps are felt in the lower abdomen. The production of hormone-like lipids called prostaglandins triggers these contractions. Although these lipids cause inflammation, they also help regulate ovulation and menstruation.
2. Breakouts
We have all experienced this right? You get out of bed, look into the mirror only to find a pimple on your face. Breakouts hurt more than breakups, don’t you agree? Around half of the women notice an increase in acne about a week before their period starts. These breakouts occur from the natural hormonal changes associated with the female reproductive system.
But not to worry ladies, period-related acne generally dissipates near the end of menstruation or shortly afterwards when Estrogen and progesterone levels start to climb.
3. Tender Breasts
During the first half of the menstrual cycle, the estrogen level starts to increase. Progesterone levels start to rise in the middle of your cycle around ovulation. This makes the mammary glands in your breasts enlarge and swell. These changes cause your breasts to get tender and feel swollen right before and during your period. It’s normal if you don’t experience this, cause this symptom may be slight for some and intense for others. Some find their breasts very heavy or lumpy causing extreme discomfort.
4. Fatigue
As your period approaches, your body tends to change in many ways. Hormonal changes result to have fatigue. Changes in mood may also make you feel tired. Some women may even experience trouble sleeping during this part of their menstrual cycle. Lack of sleep can exacerbate daytime fatigue.
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5. Bloating
If you ever wondered that your tummy feels heavy or sometimes your jeans don’t zip up a few days before your period, don’t you worry girl, it’s just that you may have period bloating.
Changes in your estrogen and progesterone levels can cause your body to retain more water and salt than usual. That results in a bloating feeling. The scale may actually go up to a pound or two but period bloating isn’t actually a weight gain. Many people get relief from this symptom two to three days after their period.
6. Bowel Issues
Well, you must be aware that your bowels are sensitive to hormonal changes, you may experience some alterations in your typical bathroom habits before and during your period.
You may find yourself having more frequent bowel moments during menstruation. You may also experience diarrhoea, nausea and other symptoms.
7. Headache
Since we all know hormones are responsible for generating the pain response, it’s understandable that fluctuating hormonal levels cause headaches and migraines.
More than 50 per cent of women who get migraine report an association between the occurrence of migraines and their period. Migraines might occur before, during or immediately following menstruation. Some also experience migraines at the time of ovulation.
8. Mood Swings
PMS and mood swings are for real guys, it’s not in your head. Now you know why you felt irritable even before your period had started. Yes, we can blame the periods for the instabilities in your emotions. The emotional symptoms of PMS can be more severe than the physical ones for some people. If you ever feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster or felt sadder than usual, the fluctuating estrogen levels are to be blamed. For some, progesterone may have a calming effect. When progesterone levels are low, this effect may be diminished. Periods of crying for no reason and emotional hypersensitivity can result.
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