Periods come round every month dishing out their fair share of pain, moodiness and general faff and – while there’s all sorts we could be doing to make this time of the month a bit easier for ourselves – the chances are that some of your everyday habits are having the opposite effect.
Here are 7 things that could be making your period even worse than it is already, so that you know for next time…
1. You’ve skipped the Pill (more than once)
What’s the biggest cause for kill-me-now PMS symptoms? An unbalanced change in hormones, says Sherry Ross, M.D., a Los Angeles-based gynaecologist. Since the Pill is *all* about playing with your body’s system, forgetting more than three doses can lead to irregular spotting and bleeding.
Also, a note about birth control and your cycle: All methods (except condoms) can affect your period differently, so make sure you talk to your doctor about what will best suit you.
2. You’re stressed
Stress can mess with all aspects of your life, including your period. Stress causes your body to release cortisol—the fight or flight hormone—and that constant state can change your menstrual habits, and in many cases, cause irregular or a loss of menses, says M.D., author of V Is for Vagina.
3. You don’t have a normal sleep schedule
We know that eight hours of sleep isn’t always possible, but one study published in the journal Health Care Women International suggests that sleep disturbances — taken from data working with nurses and their ever-changing shifts, so you know it’s legit — can cause menstrual irregularities. So if you aren’t sleeping enough, you could experience longer periods.
4. You drink a lot of coffee
One big emotional downer to PMS is that it can cause things such as anxiety, tension, insomnia, and irritability. However, if you’re trying to remedy these symptoms with a caffeine boost, Dweck says you’ll actually end up making things worse.
5. You’re always traveling
It all comes back to your sleep schedule — especially if you’re travelling to different time zones when your melatonin production levels are off their normalcy, says Ross. Your body will adjust to your location, but in the meantime, expect delayed periods.
6. You drink a lot of alcohol
Alcohol may help you relax a little at the end of a hellish week, but it’s terrible for your period, according to Dweck and Ross. Experts suggest that too much boozing can actually prolong cramps.
7. You work out *too* much
Exercise is great, and working out can often help relieve symptoms. However, overdoing it with daily rigorous exercise and physical stress can also lead to hormonal imbalances (see above), says Ross.
Instead, Dweck says that opting for regular light to moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day can will help relieve your PMS struggles.
