Pain and cramping in the abdomen and pain in the lower back can range from mild to severe, lasting two or three days. Severe cramping may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some women may also experience breast tenderness, bloating and weight gain.
There are a number of things you can do to feel better during your period. Regular aerobic exercise helps to relieve stress, reduce bloating and promote good blood flow throughout your body. You may find that heat reduces your discomfort because it relaxes your muscles, so try taking a warm shower or bath, or use a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen. Drinking alcohol during your period, smoking or being overweight may increase the chance that you experience painful cramps, so make healthy choices. Other research has shown that limiting your caffeine consumption may reduce breast tenderness. Research also suggests that calcium may decrease moodiness, pain and bloating, so taking a calcium supplement (500 milligrams, twice a day) or eating calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt and other dairy products may help reduce symptoms.Subscribe to our newsletters for our very best stories, recipes, style and shopping tips, horoscopes and special offers.