All About “Those Days of the Month” – Facts, Foods, and Ways To Handle Mood Swings

All About “Those Days of the Month” – Facts, Foods, and Ways To Handle Mood Swings

“Those days”, periods, PMSing – these are the words which have been in existence ever since the start of humanity itself, and have been a taboo since then. All the females have suppressed their pain and sickness during that period, simply because while earlier it was considered a taboo (still is, to some extent), now it is made fun of. I know many people who consider PMSing as an additional “drama” that females like to put on during those agonizing few days of the month. Well, you are wrong. You can’t switch places, and know it, so the least you can do is to take care of her during those few days of the month, and she will keep you happy for the rest of the days. PMSing is not a drama, it is a condition, and worse in case of many females. It is a mini pregnancy, so when you can take pregnancy seriously, I think people should take periods seriously too.

All About “Those Days of the Month” – Facts, Foods, and Way To Handle Mood Swings

I am writing this post not only for the females, but I want the males too to read this post, simply because I want them to understand the core of PMSing too. Understand and identify the symptoms, and take care of her. Females, you too understand that you yourself need to pay attention to your health, and appreciate the efforts that your partner takes to keep you happy during your menstruation period. All said and done, let’s begin.

PMSing/PMDDing? What are the Common Symptoms?

Okay, so while these two happen conjunctively, PMSing or (Pre Menstrual Syndrome) happens between periods and ovulation.  PMDD or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, on the other hand, refers to the condition, when all the following symptoms are in extremity. PMDD goes away in the first three days of periods and is generally not common. Well, I am an unlucky person to have it sometimes.  Please check, that if your PMSing symptoms extend to cover the first two to three days of your periods, it means that it is PMDD and not PMS. Though it is not harmful, but still, it means, you and your partner, both need to care more for your health during those days.

The common PMSing symptoms are:

  • Constipation or Diarrhea.
  • Fatigue, lack of energy.
  • Low libido.
  • Cramps.
  • Aching muscles and joints.
  • Low back pain.
  • Sleeping too much or too little.

Mood Swings:

1. Anger and anxiety.
2. Sad or depressed mood.
3. Don’t feel like talking to friends and family.
4. Trouble concentrating.

PMS

Dear males, please note that all these things happen at “one time.” I am sure you all might have experienced all these things. Now just imagine a scenario, when you experience all the above in just one go, for five days in a row. Now, you get it? So next time, when she cribs a little bit, or is not “in the mood” while in bed, try not to fight or wave it off as a silly mood swing or call for attention.

PMS

What should I do? My wife/gf is on her periods and she looks sulky?

This is probably one question that bothers almost all the males on this planet. They have witness the wrath of their respective partners for so long that they definitely want to know how are they supposed to tackle their “sweet angel” who has turned into a “beast” overnight. For the females, even if you do not have that special someone to care for you right now, you can do all these things on your own. After all, who can love you more than yourself? 😀 😀

Talk about her favorite things:

Take out a topic which interests her the most, her favorite movie, favorite book, or even your favorite moments together. Take out those pictures and CDs of your marriage and watch together. Laugh your heart out on the silly things, that the otherwise serious members of your family were caught doing on the camera, while attending your marriage.

For single females, do the same. Talk to your girlfriends, watch your favorite movies, hang out with friends in a café, read your favorite book, the one that you have already read tones of times. Nostalgia does good to mood.

Go for a Relaxed Day Out or Shopping:

PMS

One thing that makes a females universally depressed during her periods, is the fact “I am so ugly.” I am sure that even Aishwarya Rai and Angelina Jolie must have been through it during their PMSing time. Get an excuse to get dressed up and look all pretty. Take her on a day out. We all know that men don’t like to shop, but for once, indulge with her. It will make her happy, and by extension, you too. Single females, drop the online shopping for a while, dress up, look all pretty and go for a shopping and coffee date with your friends. It will make you happier.

Chocolates and Flowers!!!

Nothing, I repeat, nothing can cheer up girl more than the scent of fresh flowers and chocolates. Get these for your girl, and you will be showered with love, sometimes tears too, given her high emotional quotient during this time of the month 😉 . Girls, you too can keep some fresh flowers and chocolates with you to cheer up your mood and senses. But on the flip side, do not go overboard with the chocolates, as it is a forbidden food, especially during periods. 😉 Eat less, stay happy, and keep your mood upbeat. 😀

Chocolate

Cuddle Time:

A cuddle can cure even the worst of moods. Your bf/hubby or if you are single, then your giant and grubby old teddy. Cuddling will do away with your grumpiness.

Eating? What should and shouldn’t be a part of my diet?

Again, being a female myself, I know that there never can be a fine line between what to eat and what not to eat. If we curb our cravings, our mood swings will hike, and that, indeed would be torturous for those living with us. So, in a crux, avoid is the term to use i.e. you can eat those things, which you shouldn’t, just limit the intake as much as you can.

Eat:

  • Omega-3 fatty acid rich foods, like Tuna, walnuts, flax seeds.
  • Calcium and Magnesium rich foods like Broccoli.
  • Drink loads of water. Nothing new here.
  • Fresh fruits.
  • Whole grains.
  • Green tea.
  • Vitamin C rich foods like tomatoes, oranges, green leafy veggies, oranges, lemon, strawberry.

Avoid (the most difficult part):

  • Red meat.
  • Fried foods.
  • Caffeine.
  • Sodium content salty foods, like pickle, salted popcorn, chips.
  • Sugary foods like candy.
  • Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt.

Looks yum, I know, but then, just curb and control, and don’t stop eating the yummy things altogether. After all, you need to be happy too. 😉

Periods are a part of your life. Face it with a smile, head on. Life is too short to crib after all, and you can’t possibly waste 5 days a month cribbing, right? As for the males, now that you probably know most of the facts about periods, the symptoms and the ways to make your girl happy, the least you can do is never to taunt her about her condition on these days, or face the wrath, your choice. 😉

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

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31 thoughts on “All About “Those Days of the Month” – Facts, Foods, and Ways To Handle Mood Swings

  1. Nice write-up kadambari… 🙂 🙂 For me, water is the ultimate saviour. During periods, I just drink as much water as I can. This has always helped me to reduce pain!

    1. Thanks Rati ma’am 🙂 I am glad you found it helpful. This was something I had been meaning to share for a long time, and I am happy I could do it. 🙂

  2. I was diagnosed with having PMDD and not PMS about four years ago. I guess realizing that these extreme symptoms will be a part of me every month made me feel helpless and annoyed at first, but now they feel like a part of my life. I’m blessed to have someone who understands when I’m just being my moody self and when I’m going through PMDD. What helped me was that he never treated me differently when I was going through PMDD every month – no extra kindness or treats, but him just being who he has always been, cause that extra kindness made me even more mad cause I felt incapable. Sigh, to each of us our own!
    I loved this article Kadambari!

    1. Thanks Abhinaya 🙂 You know, I always feel, that love is the best treatment for everything. It can bring a glow to your face, you very being, and can soothe the worst of pains. You are one lucky gal, and I wish you both all the happiness in the world. Go live your way through PMDD!! Don’t let it get you down. 😀 😀

  3. wonderful article kadambari ….. thnks a ton baby …. bdw I hv a doubt I have heard n myself felt that it is good to drink warm milk with added dryfruits during periods … gives loads of energy n helps with cramps

    1. Thanks samreen 🙂 Yes, indeed. This is a very good point that you have added here. Milk with dry fruits, and even “haldi milk” is very good to soothe pain and give you loads of energy. 🙂

  4. During my periods, I always think that I am so ugly & useless n after 4-5 days; I am like – why d hell was I thinking that way?! Mood swings!! LOL 😀

    1. I used to feel same an year back. But gradually, with the introduction of IMBB in my life, I started working on it. Now apart from the PMS/PMDD, my periods are just another days of my life, and I feel beautiful even then. 🙂

  5. Omg ..to think about something so profoundly and be able to pen it so nicely …kudos to you kadambari …love ur writeups so much <3

    1. Thaaaanks neha 🙂 You know it feels so good hear such things. That you like my write ups. I really try to pick and write on the topics that I feel would be useful to all. 🙂

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