The period pain that often happens with an individual’s menstrual cycle can be debilitating, so much so that it may begin to stop you from your daily tasks.
We get it, you have a lot going on. You balance your work, family and friends while trying to keep up a healthy lifestyle. Worrying about your period should be the last thing on your to-do list.
PreMenstrual Symptoms (PMS) can start from a week or so before your period begins.3
Symptoms can vary from individual to individual and include physical and mood symptoms.4
Physical symptoms of PMS4 can include:
- Pain: cramps, backache, headaches or migraines, joint or muscle pain
- Digestive symptoms: bloating, nausea,5 constipation and diarrhoea, increased appetite, food cravings
- Sleep: poor sleep, tiredness, fatigue
Other symptoms can include: fluid retention and swelling, acne, hot flushes.
Symptoms that impact your mood can also occur:4
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability and mood swings
References:
3 https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/periods/periods-overview/premenstrual-conditions
4 https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/premenstrual-syndrome-pms#symptoms-of-pms
5 https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/nausea-during-period#common-causes
What Causes PMS?
The cause of PMS is unknown. Factors that may contribute to PMS symptoms include:
- Stress
- Psychological state
- Poor physical health
- Overweight and obesity – women with a BMI higher than 30 are three times more likely to have PMS than those with a normal weight
- Smoking – smokers are twice as likely to have severe PMS symptoms compared to non-smokers
- Family history and genetics
- Cultural and social environment.
Incorrect theories about the causes of PMS have included oestrogen excess, progesterone deficiency, vitamin B6 deficiency, abnormal glucose metabolism and electrolyte imbalances.
4 https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/premenstrual-syndrome-pms#symptoms-of-pms
Treating PMS and period pain
Whether it's cramps, headache, backache, bloating or just feeling blah, there's no reason to live with discomfort. These simple lifestyle changes can get you back to feeling like your real self in no time.
- Stress Less. Stress can make period symptoms seem even worse. Need a few simple tricks for stressing less? Write in your journal, hang with a friend, listen to music or try meditation or relaxation exercises.
- Heat things up. Treating yourself to a warm bath can soothe your muscles and help relieve cramps. Or reach for a heat pack when you are on the move to give you pain relief of period cramps & backaches.
- Move more. Regular daily exercise can help improve your overall health, lift your mood and alleviate fatigue. A walk, trip to the gym – or even just a dance party of one in your living room – can help to get you feeling better fast when period symptoms hit.
- Fill up your plate. Complex carbohydrates can help your body function at its best. Fruits, vegetables and nutrient-rich whole grains are your best foodie-friends at this time of the month. Reducing your salt and sugar intake may also help alleviate some period symptoms.
- Talk to your doctor. If nothing seems to help or if you notice any unusual period symptoms, speak to your health care professional.
- Take Naprogesic. Treat the cause of period pain at the first sign of period symptoms, such as aches, cramps and headaches, or menstrual bleeding (whichever occurs first).
GET RELIEF FOR YOUR PERIOD PAIN SYMPTOMS
Naprogesic®
Period Pain Relief
Available in 12 and 24 tablet pack sizes
Bayer calculation based in part on data reported by NielsenIQ and IQVIA through the IQVIA™ & NielsenIQ© RMS Sell Out Service for the Pharmacy & Grocery Database, Period Pain Segment (Pharmacy only) for the 52 week period ending 06/08/2022 for the Australia Grocery and Pharmacy market according to the client defined product hierarchy.
