8 Fixes for Your Worst Period Problems

You've got issues, we've got fixes.

08 March, 2018
8 Fixes for Your Worst Period Problems

You've got issues, we've got fixes.

Acne

High progesterone levels before your period rev up oil-gland production. Then testosterone (a source of skin trouble) stays steady as the hormones that usually balance out T drop. You're left defenseless and zitty, says dermatologist Monica Schadlow, M.D.

What to do: Use a gentle cleanser, like Cetaphil or Cerave, and don't go nuts with the harsh scrubs, toners, or wipes — you want to get rid of bad oils but keep good ones. BC pills with drospirenone (Yasmin, Yaz) are FDA-approved to treat moderate acne. Prescription topical meds can also help.

1Acne

High progesterone levels before your period rev up oil-gland production. Then testosterone (a source of skin trouble) stays steady as the hormones that usually balance out T drop. You're left defenseless and zitty, says dermatologist Monica Schadlow, M.D.

What to do: Use a gentle cleanser, like Cetaphil or Cerave, and don't go nuts with the harsh scrubs, toners, or wipes — you want to get rid of bad oils but keep good ones. BC pills with drospirenone (Yasmin, Yaz) are FDA-approved to treat moderate acne. Prescription topical meds can also help.

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​Lower-Back Pain

This may actually be cramps in disguise: Since some uteruses tilt toward the back, that could be where you're feeling it.

What to do: Go old-school: Heating pads really can help, whether your front or back is hurting. Thermacare makes portable ones for under your clothes (from $3, amazon.com). An NIH study also showed that weekly sessions of yoga or stretching helped lessen back pain (although it wasn't directly linked to your red-dot special).

2​Lower-Back Pain

This may actually be cramps in disguise: Since some uteruses tilt toward the back, that could be where you're feeling it.

What to do: Go old-school: Heating pads really can help, whether your front or back is hurting. Thermacare makes portable ones for under your clothes (from $3, amazon.com). An NIH study also showed that weekly sessions of yoga or stretching helped lessen back pain (although it wasn't directly linked to your red-dot special).

​Weight Gain

If you're gaining weight a few days before your flow starts, it's probably water retention. The likely culprit: yep, hormones.

What to do: Caffeinated drinks can be a natural diuretic, says Cosmo contributor Jennifer Ashton, M.D., an ob-gyn in Englewood, New Jersey. And hit a cycling or hot-yoga class — not only will you sweat away some water weight, but exercise helps with PMS in general.

3​Weight Gain

If you're gaining weight a few days before your flow starts, it's probably water retention. The likely culprit: yep, hormones.

What to do: Caffeinated drinks can be a natural diuretic, says Cosmo contributor Jennifer Ashton, M.D., an ob-gyn in Englewood, New Jersey. And hit a cycling or hot-yoga class — not only will you sweat away some water weight, but exercise helps with PMS in general.

Fatigue

It's super common, laments Dr. Ashton. She speculates that women may feel wiped out by a decline in hormone levels just before a period starts.

What to do: Give in to that sleepiness at night, aiming for seven to eight hours. When you wake up, even though you might be dragging, do about 30 minutes of moderate cardio (walking works). It will give you an energy boost — plus some bonus endorphins — afterward.

4Fatigue

It's super common, laments Dr. Ashton. She speculates that women may feel wiped out by a decline in hormone levels just before a period starts.

What to do: Give in to that sleepiness at night, aiming for seven to eight hours. When you wake up, even though you might be dragging, do about 30 minutes of moderate cardio (walking works). It will give you an energy boost — plus some bonus endorphins — afterward.

Headaches and Migraines

The drop in estrogen may affect the activity of key neurotransmitters, says osteopath Lee Peterlin, director of headache research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Thus, your head feels like crap.

What to do: Start popping NSAIDs two days before your period headache usually hits. Magnesium oxide, an OTC supplement, may help prevent migraines, says Peterlin. If your pain is no joke, ask your doc about Rx options such as triptans.

5Headaches and Migraines

The drop in estrogen may affect the activity of key neurotransmitters, says osteopath Lee Peterlin, director of headache research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Thus, your head feels like crap.

What to do: Start popping NSAIDs two days before your period headache usually hits. Magnesium oxide, an OTC supplement, may help prevent migraines, says Peterlin. If your pain is no joke, ask your doc about Rx options such as triptans.

Cravings

Pre-period, the stress hormone cortisol spikes and the calm-inducing hormone serotonin dips — a one-two punch that leaves you wanting sugary, carby, fatty, and salty comfort food, says Willow Jarosh, R.D., of C&J Nutrition.

What to do: Meet cravings halfway. Instead of fries, have baked sweet potato wedges (the vitamin C is good for skin, and potassium curbs water retention). If you want Chinese, pair lean protein with broccoli and brown rice (fiber keeps you regular) sans sauce (sodium makes you bloat more).

6Cravings

Pre-period, the stress hormone cortisol spikes and the calm-inducing hormone serotonin dips — a one-two punch that leaves you wanting sugary, carby, fatty, and salty comfort food, says Willow Jarosh, R.D., of C&J Nutrition.

What to do: Meet cravings halfway. Instead of fries, have baked sweet potato wedges (the vitamin C is good for skin, and potassium curbs water retention). If you want Chinese, pair lean protein with broccoli and brown rice (fiber keeps you regular) sans sauce (sodium makes you bloat more).

​Mood Swings

When your flow starts, there's a drop in estrogen, which plays a big role in mood regulation, hence your transformation into a lady-Hulk … or someone who just watched The Notebook.

What to do: Hormonal BC can be a winner here, or it could cause crankiness — if one method or brand fails you, try another. Snack on produce and protein to avoid blood sugar fluctuations that exacerbate moodiness.

7​Mood Swings

When your flow starts, there's a drop in estrogen, which plays a big role in mood regulation, hence your transformation into a lady-Hulk … or someone who just watched The Notebook.

What to do: Hormonal BC can be a winner here, or it could cause crankiness — if one method or brand fails you, try another. Snack on produce and protein to avoid blood sugar fluctuations that exacerbate moodiness.

Gut Trouble

The same hormones that cause your uterus to contract cause the organs along the digestive tract to contract too. Results: gross symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea.

What to do: If your stomach tolerates them, take ibuprofen or naproxen. Hormonal birth control may also help a lot. Pills with a low dose of estrogen are good for sensitive stomachs, says ob-gyn Meredith Loveless, M.D. And cut down on salty junk food — you may be craving it, but it can make bloating worse.

Modern period essentials:
Sanitary Subscriptions, La Parcel Hello (both $15 per month) will mail you tampons, pads, liners ... and chocolate.
Stealth Packaging. Delivery Service

8Gut Trouble

The same hormones that cause your uterus to contract cause the organs along the digestive tract to contract too. Results: gross symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea.

What to do: If your stomach tolerates them, take ibuprofen or naproxen. Hormonal birth control may also help a lot. Pills with a low dose of estrogen are good for sensitive stomachs, says ob-gyn Meredith Loveless, M.D. And cut down on salty junk food — you may be craving it, but it can make bloating worse.

Modern period essentials:
Sanitary Subscriptions, La Parcel Hello (both $15 per month) will mail you tampons, pads, liners ... and chocolate.
Stealth Packaging. Delivery Service

1445417193-1445037954-period-problems.jpg
!/">Lola (from $10 per month) sends tampons in a box so discreet, you can leave it out on your bathroom counter.
Tracking Apps. Avoid an ambush from Aunt Flo with Clue, Ruby by Glow, and Period Tracker Lite (all free, Android and iOS). Monitor flow, sex drive, and PMS too.
Un-Granny Panties. Sexy Thinx (from $24), breathable Dear Kate and sporty Knixwear (from $20), are all absorbent and reusable — great for light days or spotting backup.
Stain Busters. An enzyme-based remover like Carbona Stain Devils
91445417193-1445037954-period-problems.jpg!/">Lola (from $10 per month) sends tampons in a box so discreet, you can leave it out on your bathroom counter.
Tracking Apps. Avoid an ambush from Aunt Flo with Clue, Ruby by Glow, and Period Tracker Lite (all free, Android and iOS). Monitor flow, sex drive, and PMS too.
Un-Granny Panties. Sexy Thinx (from $24), breathable Dear Kate and sporty Knixwear (from $20), are all absorbent and reusable — great for light days or spotting backup.
Stain Busters. An enzyme-based remover like Carbona Stain Devils
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