Women - how do you get through your time of the month?

bexcobham

Seriously, it is like being possessed by the hunger demon. I get bloated and my stomach is massive, even if I don't binge (but usually do).

If anyone has a way of getting through PMS time without eating everything in sight, I would be sooo grateful.

Escape_Artist

Seriously, it is like being possessed by the hunger demon. I get bloated and my stomach is massive, even if I don't binge (but usually do).

If anyone has a way of getting through PMS time without eating everything in sight, I would be sooo grateful.

This is going to sound harsh but really it's all about self control. Fit some goodies in your calories!

bexcobham

Seriously, it is like being possessed by the hunger demon. I get bloated and my stomach is massive, even if I don't binge (but usually do).

If anyone has a way of getting through PMS time without eating everything in sight, I would be sooo grateful.

This is going to sound harsh but really it's all about self control. Fit some goodies in your calories!

You are spot on there. I've got some Eat Natural gluten free granola with buckwheat and some natural yoghurt. It's tasty and filling. I'm going to reward myself with a nice item of clothing if I can get through this month without chocolate.

Thanks for some good old common sense!

happyjack1976

I try to work out extra hard and have a few extra treats!

bexcobham

You know, I shall do that tomorrow and Saturday!

Lizzy622

I take an iron supplement for 2 or 3 days a month. It helps. I heard eating food high in magnesium also helps. Of course, I still have a couple of squares of dark chocolate to get me through the tough times.

kimothy38

I've been recommended dandelion tea - one if it's many benefits is that it helps with bloat out and relieves water retention. I bought some but haven't tried it yet.

iRun_Butterfly

Workout, drink lots of water, and as previously stated, save some room for your treats of choice. Once I got my eating under control for the most part my cravings really subsided. I still get the chocolate twinge, but usually a little treat will take care of that for me.

bexcobham

Does anyone know the science behind why a lot of women get so hungry before their period? We can send men to the moon ffs, surely scientists could come up with something to help with PMS cravings.

Sirinya55

Luckily...I'm still my normal self during that time of the month. My husband will forever disagreed...only because I threw a plate at him once. Men...so dramatic!

AsaThorsWoman

I gave in yesterday and had a mini-reese's.

I was craving that so much.

bexcobham

Luckily...I'm still my normal self during that time of the month. My husband will forever disagreed...only because I threw a plate at him once. Men...so dramatic!

I had to laugh at that! I'd be tempted to take plate chucker over cookie monster. Is that vain?

redtreediary

9 to 10 days beforehand, I have a day where I am hungry All. Freaking. Day.

I figure I need the calories for building up a uterine lining. My body knows what is up. I just have an eat all the (healthy) things day. It's not an eat all the cake day. But, if I *need* an extra snack, then I obviously NEED it.

I think the best way to deal is just make sure you're getting enough protein and iron. Your body is craving building supplies, basically.

fairymama

I talked to my chiropractor about this; I speculated that women need more calories due to menstruation/impending menstruation. He said that's not actually the case, but that our adrenal glands get off-kilter since our stress is higher, so we *feel* like we need to eat more. This has helped me; I tell myself that I don't actually need more food, everything's fine, etc. I'm taking rhodiola ginseng to even out my adrenals (and anxiety), and I've also been off sugar for a month or so. All of this is helping me not to eat a ton during my cycle.

bexcobham

Yeah, I have been wondering about iron. Last month, I got some really lovely local organic grass fed beef. I got some more this for month. It is very satisfying and it's good to know exactly how it was raised and where.

I have just got a handle on how my meds affect my appetite. My weight crept up because I was too nauseus and fatigued to exercise for the first three months and had chronic carb cravings. Worse during PMS time. I also get a hungry day at ovulation time and it all starts swelling up from then.

I went to the GP 'cause I was worried that it was the perimenopause, but she laughed at me and said I'm too young.

mccindy72

Seriously, it is like being possessed by the hunger demon. I get bloated and my stomach is massive, even if I don't binge (but usually do).

If anyone has a way of getting through PMS time without eating everything in sight, I would be sooo grateful.

bexcobham

I talked to my chiropractor about this; I speculated that women need more calories due to menstruation/impending menstruation. He said that's not actually the case, but that our adrenal glands get off-kilter since our stress is higher, so we *feel* like we need to eat more. This has helped me; I tell myself that I don't actually need more food, everything's fine, etc. I'm taking rhodiola ginseng to even out my adrenals (and anxiety), and I've also been off sugar for a month or so. All of this is helping me not to eat a ton during my cycle.

I tried that rhodiola, but it makes me really anxious and jittery. I might give ginseng a go instead. Do you not get hyper on rhodiola then?

smn76237

I talked to my chiropractor about this; I speculated that women need more calories due to menstruation/impending menstruation. He said that's not actually the case, but that our adrenal glands get off-kilter since our stress is higher, so we *feel* like we need to eat more. This has helped me; I tell myself that I don't actually need more food, everything's fine, etc. I'm taking rhodiola ginseng to even out my adrenals (and anxiety), and I've also been off sugar for a month or so. All of this is helping me not to eat a ton during my cycle.

Lol don't take nutrition from a chiropractor! Your BMR actually does raise *slightly* with your cycle (300 calories extra max, though).
Honestly, my PMS hunger demon isn't with me for more than a few days each month--so I eat more on those days and continue working as as usual (although I generally feel more tired and weaker, making it difficult). Bloating happens regardless, and it goes away in a few days.
Usually I crave protein the most, but it varies. Just keep track of your calories and make sure you're not going overboard.

aliakynes

I try to work out extra hard and have a few extra treats!

^^ this! I actually want to work out more to relieve any excess anxiety or whatever.

If that fails, I'll increase my calories for a few days and go for some not-so-lean red meat or dark meat poultry.

bexcobham

I talked to my chiropractor about this; I speculated that women need more calories due to menstruation/impending menstruation. He said that's not actually the case, but that our adrenal glands get off-kilter since our stress is higher, so we *feel* like we need to eat more. This has helped me; I tell myself that I don't actually need more food, everything's fine, etc. I'm taking rhodiola ginseng to even out my adrenals (and anxiety), and I've also been off sugar for a month or so. All of this is helping me not to eat a ton during my cycle.

Lol don't take nutrition from a chiropractor! Your BMR actually does raise *slightly* with your cycle (300 calories extra max, though).
Honestly, my PMS hunger demon isn't with me for more than a few days each month--so I eat more on those days and continue working as as usual (although I generally feel more tired and weaker, making it difficult). Bloating happens regardless, and it goes away in a few days.
Usually I crave protein the most, but it varies. Just keep track of your calories and make sure you're not going overboard.

I find my tolerance to exercise also goes down, but my body temperature goes through the roof.

smn76237

I talked to my chiropractor about this; I speculated that women need more calories due to menstruation/impending menstruation. He said that's not actually the case, but that our adrenal glands get off-kilter since our stress is higher, so we *feel* like we need to eat more. This has helped me; I tell myself that I don't actually need more food, everything's fine, etc. I'm taking rhodiola ginseng to even out my adrenals (and anxiety), and I've also been off sugar for a month or so. All of this is helping me not to eat a ton during my cycle.

Lol don't take nutrition from a chiropractor! Your BMR actually does raise *slightly* with your cycle (300 calories extra max, though).
Honestly, my PMS hunger demon isn't with me for more than a few days each month--so I eat more on those days and continue working as as usual (although I generally feel more tired and weaker, making it difficult). Bloating happens regardless, and it goes away in a few days.
Usually I crave protein the most, but it varies. Just keep track of your calories and make sure you're not going overboard.

I find my tolerance to exercise also goes down, but my body temperature goes through the roof.

Yep! I also have at least 2 nights where I wake up in a sweat at 3:45am and can't get back to sleep, regardless of when I went to bed or how much exercise I did the day before. This has happened the past few months and I never quite associated the two until recently--apparently insomnia is another fun symptom of PMS when estrogen levels drop off.

bexcobham

Yep! I also have at least 2 nights where I wake up in a sweat at 3:45am and can't get back to sleep, regardless of when I went to bed or how much exercise I did the day before. This has happened the past few months and I never quite associated the two until recently--apparently insomnia is another fun symptom of PMS when estrogen levels drop off.

Would it be cheeky to ask your age? I'm 37 and started to notice this about 5 or 6 years ago. My feet feel like they are burning and I have to stick them in cold water. Do you think it could be the perimenopause or at least gearing up for it?

smn76237

Yep! I also have at least 2 nights where I wake up in a sweat at 3:45am and can't get back to sleep, regardless of when I went to bed or how much exercise I did the day before. This has happened the past few months and I never quite associated the two until recently--apparently insomnia is another fun symptom of PMS when estrogen levels drop off.

Would it be cheeky to ask your age? I'm 37 and started to notice this about 5 or 6 years ago. My feet feel like they are burning and I have to stick them in cold water. Do you think it could be the perimenopause or at least gearing up for it?

Haha no it's ok, I'm 28. This was the article I had read on insomnia.
http://www.webmd.com/women/pms/features/why-pms-gives-you-insomnia
Apparently at least 67% of women report disturbed sleep in this time of their menstrual cycle, not necessarily related to perimenopause or anything like that.

YorriaRaine

Another than maybe an increased sweet tooth, my actual hunger levels don't really raise up, just what kind of food I prefer to eat changes. However, I have a chocolate protein shake almost everyday of my life since I discovered it and its like cheating but not. Taste like a yummy chocolate malt, and has 40g of protein =3

Also to the ladies talking about sleep insomnia during that time of the month. I don't think it is menopausal, I have had sleep insomnia since my first period during that time of the month, and I'm 24 now still suffering from it.

dixiewhiskey

I talked to my chiropractor about this; I speculated that women need more calories due to menstruation/impending menstruation. He said that's not actually the case, but that our adrenal glands get off-kilter since our stress is higher, so we *feel* like we need to eat more. This has helped me; I tell myself that I don't actually need more food, everything's fine, etc. I'm taking rhodiola ginseng to even out my adrenals (and anxiety), and I've also been off sugar for a month or so. All of this is helping me not to eat a ton during my cycle.

Lol don't take nutrition from a chiropractor! Your BMR actually does raise *slightly* with your cycle (300 calories extra max, though).
Honestly, my PMS hunger demon isn't with me for more than a few days each month--so I eat more on those days and continue working as as usual (although I generally feel more tired and weaker, making it difficult). Bloating happens regardless, and it goes away in a few days.
Usually I crave protein the most, but it varies. Just keep track of your calories and make sure you're not going overboard.

Lmao I second the don't take advice from a chiro!

As for me.. Periods are normal in terms of length and content. I don't get them often.. Doctors suspect super early menopause will happen before I'm 30. I get hot flashes just hours before it starts. The irregularities blow cause I get really bloated up to a month before I get TOM and mood swings also kick in. I listen to my body.. It tells me I want something sweet so I feed it something reasonable. I continue to work out like it was any other day. I used to have really bad back pain before and during TOM but that has subsided since being active.

I tell myself that this is the best time to work out. After all, once its gone - the scale goes down and all my hard work shows As for eating, like I mentioned I give in a little but I won't go out and buy McDonalds

bexcobham

Thanks you two!

The internet can be dangerous when you worry a lot and have access to online medical encyclopaedias.

ahoy_m8

Does anyone know the science behind why a lot of women get so hungry before their period? We can send men to the moon ffs, surely scientists could come up with something to help with PMS cravings.

Low progesterone + high estrogen -> lower blood sugar. Estrogen peaks around ovulation, and the ruptured follicle starts releasing progesterone. The progesterone modulates the estrogen, so for the remainder of the cycle progesterone dominates. Menses happens when all hormone levels are low. Also, high estrogen -> water retention, which can make Na concentration lower, which may be why some women crave salt or salty carbs.

Hunger and water retention during menses has always confused me, because hormone levels suggest the water retention and hunger should be right after ovulation, like 8-14 days before menses rather than during menses. Personally, I do have more PMS symptoms at ovulation than menses.

bexcobham

Does anyone know the science behind why a lot of women get so hungry before their period? We can send men to the moon ffs, surely scientists could come up with something to help with PMS cravings.

Low progesterone + high estrogen -> lower blood sugar. Estrogen peaks around ovulation, and the ruptured follicle starts releasing progesterone. The progesterone modulates the estrogen, so for the remainder of the cycle progesterone dominates. Menses happens when all hormone levels are low. Also, high estrogen -> water retention, which can make Na concentration lower, which may be why some women crave salt or salty carbs.

Hunger and water retention during menses has always confused me, because hormone levels suggest the water retention and hunger should be right after ovulation, like 8-14 days before menses rather than during menses. Personally, I do have more PMS symptoms at ovulation than menses.

Yes, it all starts around ovulation for me, with a cracking migraine thrown in for good measure. Thanks a bunch hormones! :-D

ProfessorCurlz

I wish there was an exclusive womens group to discuss this issue, because I am noticing some strange things here and there, and never really want to ask here out in the open. If anyone has a group on here, PLEASE let me know!

mccindy72

There is actually a chart that tells you what foods your cravings mean your body needs. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but here's a look:

bexcobham

I wish there was an exclusive womens group to discuss this issue, because I am noticing some strange things here and there, and never really want to ask here out in the open. If anyone has a group on here, PLEASE let me know!

I dunno, but can we start one here if there isn't one already?