Periods are okay, but what are period symptoms? Like premenstrual syndrome (PMS), pre-period symptoms are the physical, emotional, and behavioral changes you experience before your menstrual cycle begins. The changes typically include physical changes like swollen and tender breasts, headaches, pain, etc., and emotional changes like mood swings, cravings, and more. These symptoms are just part of your monthly menstrual cycle.
Have you ever wondered why we experience symptoms before a period and what causes these symptoms? It is because of the hormonal fluctuations in the body. As your menstrual cycle date approaches, hormones like estrogen and progesterone start to rise and fall, causing an effect on the transmitter in your brain. This effect leads to hormonal changes in your health and body, and your body’s response to these changes causes symptoms before periods. The major reasons for experiencing these symptoms are genetics, lifestyle, and health conditions.
Reading this article will ease your pre-period worries and make your periods comfortable and enjoyable. Yes, you heard it right! Repad was one of the first to initiate the production of reusable cotton pads as soft and comfortable as cotton. On top of this priority, Repad aims to protect your personal, intimate health by introducing you to products made naturally as the safest and most reliable alternative to disposable sanitary pads.
The 10 common pre-period symptoms are:
Physical Symptoms
- Abdominal Cramps
Abdominal cramps are the most common type of period pain symptom, lasting until the end of your period. It is felt in the lower abdomen and ranges from mild to severe. The contraction of the uterus causes it.
- Breakouts
Experiencing breakouts is extremely common when you are about to begin your menstrual cycle. The androgen in your system increases slightly when you ovulate and no pregnancy occurs, increasing the sebum oil produced by glands in the skin.
- Back and Muscle Pain
The uterine and abdominal contractions cause muscle contractions, leading to lower back and muscular pain.
- Fatigue
As your period approaches, the hormonal change often results in fatigue. The fatigue causes mood swings.
- Tender Breast
Around the ovulation stage, the progesterone hormone rises, making the mammary glands in your breasts larger and swollen. You will also experience an achy and swollen feeling, indicating that your periods are about to hit.
- Bloating
Changes in the levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone can cause your body to retain more water and salt, giving you the feeling of a heavy stomach, which is bloating.
Emotional Changes
Though physical symptoms are sometimes intolerable in severe conditions, emotional symptoms are even worse because they are uncontrollable. The changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone keep shifting your mood, making it an emotional roller coaster for you.
You may want something spicy or sweet, be crying badly, want someone to pamper you, or need a little alone time or something else. It is possible that estrogen affects serotonin levels and feel-good endorphins in the brain, resulting in decreased feelings of well-being and increased levels of depression and irritability.
Here are some of the common emotional changes:
- Mood Swings
- Cravings
- Depression
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Trouble Sleeping
Are Pre-Period Symptoms Good for Your Body?
Though symptoms before periods are bothersome, it is normal to experience them just like periods. They are a great indicator that your body and menstrual cycle are compatible and functioning properly and effectively. However, the severe and adverse period pain symptoms may affect your daily life by restricting you from feeling good and focusing on your daily activities. In such cases, you should consult your doctor and seek medical advice to balance your health issues.
For more such information to ease your worries from premenstrual to post-menstrual, read Repad’s other blogs. Also, get a Repad sanitary pad, the most reliable choice for many women.
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