Period Hacks That Work

As anyone who’s been bloated, crampy, broken out, headachy and gorging on brownies knows, pms is officially the worst. So what’s happening to your body, anyway? Here’s what you need to know to conquer pms once and for all…

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MY CRAMPS ARE KILLER!

THE CAUSE: Every month, the inner lining of the uterus builds up to prepare for a possible pregnancy. If no fertilized egg appears, the uterus sheds its lining and starts from scratch for the next month. When that happens, hormones called prostaglandins are released to help the uterus squeeze out the old lining. Hello, serious cramps.

THE CURE: Get moving! Exercise can lower prostaglandin levels. Just can’t bear hitting the treadmill? Switch to yoga or walking. A bath, a warm compress or a heating pad also can help curb cramps. “Anything with heat can relax the muscles and make you feel better,” says Dr. Larissa Hirsch, a pediatrician based in New York City. If your cycle is pretty predictable, load up on magnesium-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, spinach, chickpeas) the day before you expect your period to ward off cramps before they hit. If period symptoms are causing you to miss school or your fave activities, talk to your doctor— she may prescribe medication to keep cramp-causing hormones in check.

EVERY MONTH, I GET SO BLOATED. IT’S GROSS.