By Robyn Srigley, BA, PTS, CNP, NNCP

my period is a pain in the boobBig or small, round or droopy– breasts are a part of our lives every day! Whether we wish they were bigger or smaller or perkier, they are here to stay and we should love them with all we’ve got! It’s pretty common knowledge that most women at some point feel PMS symptoms (up to 90%). One of the major symptoms is breast pain or tenderness.

This is something I’ve ALWAYS suffered with. Some cycles, it would be just a little discomfort or swelling, and sometimes I’ve had cycles where I can hardly move or breathe without pain. For me, it was part of my PCOS, a hormonal imbalance that plagues women with severe PMS, among other things. So how can we kick this pain in the boob to the curb?

 

CAUSES
There could be many causes of breast pain in relation to PMS. I’m going to talk briefly about the top 3 causes. Take a gander and see where YOU fit in! READ MORE… »

Until my 20’s, I struggled with PMS. Whether it was backaches, migraines, excessive cramping, etc. it was a constant struggle. I always did the obvious, painkillers, PMS tea, read all the tips from magazines and it seemed, nothing worked. It wasn’t until my late 20’s I met a modern day goddess (and yoga guru), Zahra Haji.  She fashioned unique practices for women to connect with their feminine energy, under her business Yoga Goddess. Amongst her different series of classes, she had a very special offering Moon Goddess.  This class focused on how women’s bodies connect spiritually with the moon, and how women are cyclical just like the moon. Each phase of the moon, connected with one of the four phases of the monthly cycle a woman goes through. It was through this series of kundalini yoga, meditations, and using specific yoga poses for each part of the cycle I go through with my body, that helped me achieve the most important success in my struggle with PMS; love and acceptance of my body, what I go through and how it makes me unique. READ MORE… »

By Samantha Gluck
PMS - AnxietyAs the name implies, women experience the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) for one to two weeks before their monthly menstruation begins. For some women, these symptoms are very mild and barely noticeable, but for others the symptoms cause considerable emotional, physical, and psychological discomfort.

Don’t let PMS symptoms stop you from enjoying life.

Lifestyle Affects PMS Severity
Some research suggests that a woman’s lifestyle has a significant impact on the severity of PMS symptoms. Women, who smoke, drink excessive alcohol and caffeine, do not exercise, and get inadequate sleep experience more pronounced symptoms associated with PMS. Oral contraceptives may affect the severity of symptoms as well. Some women report that oral contraceptives make the symptoms worse, while others report relief from PMS as a result of the birth control pill. This difference is likely due to the type of pill taken and the individual body chemistry and metabolism of the woman taking them. Talk to your OB/GYN physician if you feel the birth control pill is making your PMS worse. READ MORE… »

By Dr Easton Patrick

Among the menstruating women, a painful menstruation or menstrual cramps are quite common. Medically this problem is termed as Dysmenorrhea. Mainly younger women experience this painful menstrual cramp. Usually this symptom gradually subsides after pregnancy or with the older age. For some women these menstrual cramps may be severe, while many women may not even experience this pain at all throughout their fertility period. Usually this painful cramp starts before 2-3 days prior to menstruation and gradually subsides in 1-2 days after periods.

Some of the important symptoms of this painful menstruation are varying degrees of pain in the abdominal and pelvic area during the periods; other symptoms include vomiting, nausea, loose motion and also dizziness. These are the symptoms which accompany painful menstruation.

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By Samantha Gluck

PMDDWomen with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) experience a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).As with PMS, the physical and emotional symptoms occur about a week before menstruation starts and dissipate soon after. Unlike PMS, PMDD symptoms disrupt and interfere with social, work, and relationship activities. OB/GYN physicians can prescribe medication to women, who meet the criteria for PMDD, to reduce the symptoms as well as educate patients about lifestyle choices thought to help minimize the physical manifestations of the condition naturally.

PMDD Signs and Symptoms
While over 30 percent of women with regular menstrual cycles experience common PMS symptoms, only 3 % to 8 % of menstruating women meet the diagnostic criteria for PMDD. READ MORE… »

By Natracare

If you have thrush, or even if you don’t, irritation from tampons and pads may be causing you discomfort. Gynecologists say that up to a third of women with symptoms of vaginal itching, soreness and/or discharge may be experiencing the symptoms of Vulval Dermatitis or Intimate Irritation.

Studies* carried out amongst 40 British gynecologists with further research conducted amongst their Canadian colleagues rev ealed that nearly 4 out of 5 gynecologists felt that their patients, suffering with intimate irritation, were experiencing sensitivity to synthetic fabrics, sanitary protection and toiletries. 50% of the gynecologists then go on to recommend the use of natural, chemical-free sanitary protection to help alleviate the symptoms.

Mr David Nunns, Consultant Gynecologist at Nottingham City Hospital, said “Irritancy is a very common issue amongst women in the UK, and is still frequently mistaken for thrush. This study has shown that expert gynecologists across the globe have recognized that sanitary protection may be a causative agent in triggering vulval irritancy and so switching to natural, chemical free protection may help alleviate troublesome symptoms for many women.”

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