What is menstruation?

         Menstruation or the menstrual cycle is defined by a series of processes that your body goes through, during which the level of sex hormones rises and falls, depending on the stage of the menstrual cycle you are in. These hormones are also responsible for a woman's mood and energy level.

          How does it affect us both physically and emotionally?

        Menstruation days are delicate for any woman, from the first days in adolescence to menopause. If in the case of some women there is no difference from "normal days", in the case of other women the symptoms are so intense that they have to miss out on daily activities such as school, classes or work.

          Physically, the most common symptoms associated with menstruation are bloating, acne, abdominal pain, headaches, increased breast tenderness, muscle pain, increased appetite and cravings for very sweet or salty foods, nausea, increased temperature body etc.

           From an emotional point of view that period has a particular impact on our mental health due to the fact that the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone decrease before menstruation. During the menstrual period, states of agitation, nervousness, sadness, fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia and many other states can appear that change suddenly.

           All of these symptoms that I listed previously, both physical and emotional, can also be felt during the premenstrual period and differ from person to person in how they manifest.

                 How does it affect me personally?

              I am one of those women who has most of those symptoms mentioned and also suffers from PMS (premenstrual syndrome). My symptoms start about 2 weeks before my period and last up to 3 days after it. Of course, their intensity varies from month to month, and there are months when I miss some of the symptoms. Often among the most common are: abdominal pain, headache, breast tenderness, acne, sweet tooth and nausea. During that time I am much more tired than usual, I have no energy and no mood for anything, I cry a lot, I am nervous and agitated and I change moods 10 times a day. Personally, my period prevents me most of the time from going to high school, or going on a trip, or just going out, but even when I do go somewhere I don't miss painkillers.

                 Tips to feel better during your period

               Although no medicine has been invented for the symptoms of menstruation, there are still some things you can do to get through this period with ease:

            - to reduce abdominal pain: warm baths or compresses, regular physical movement, and if the pain does not subside, pain relievers can be used;

              – to prevent bloating and nausea: avoid fatty and very salty foods, caffeine and alcohol;

               - recommended foods: lots of fruits and vegetables, nut and seed mixes, rice, fish (especially tuna and salmon), grapes, dark chocolate and, of course, water, because it's very important to stay hydrated during menstruation;

               - the woman's body loses essential vitamins and minerals during menstruation, therefore an intake of calcium, magnesium and vitamins can have a beneficial effect on the general state of well-being;

               – to relieve agitation, nervousness or anxiety: drink warm calming teas (for example chamomile) or a glass of warm milk with honey, you can try deep breathing exercises, meditation or yoga, which help you relax, go for a walk walk in nature, do activities that make you feel good or listen to a playlist with songs that lift your spirits (it helps me every time).

                It is very important to know your own body in order to respond to its needs. 

                     How do men view menstruation?

                 Surely many of you have heard the phrase: "And you're on your period?" or you've been hysterical, hysterical, or the like just because you're on your period. Most men don't know exactly what "that time of the month" is all about, which sometimes amuses us women and sometimes infuriates us. There are many men who find menstruation a bizarre thing. Some see it as an unusual event, others as a woman's drama, and others do not even know what it is because they deliberately refuse to penetrate this mystery, it seems to them that it is much simpler not to know . 

                  All they know about menstruation is that women bleed once a month, that if it comes it means you're not pregnant and then we're hysterical and cringing or exaggerating, but they don't really know what we really deal with every month. But two men were subjected to an interesting experiment: they wanted to know what menstrual pain feels like, so they went to a specialized center where they were connected to some machines. The two saw firsthand what it means to have menstrual cramps, and one of them even needed to use an oxygen mask. I believe that this experiment highlights very clearly what we suffer every month.                    

                I want to give some advice to male readers if they want to better understand this phenomenon and all its implications or if they want to be helpful and contribute to the well-being of the person next to them. It is nothing to pity, because it is not a disease, but only a more sensitive period for women when, indeed, they also need more attention, affection and help. If you see that he's in pain and doesn't feel well, make him some tea or go to the pharmacy to get him some pain relievers and possibly some absorbents because you know he'll be useful, try to make him hungry, talk to her to cheer her up and distract her, make her laugh, watch a movie with her and hold her, trust me it will help her a lot, or ask her out for a walk or to go on a "road trip" if she is not able to walk and most importantly DO NOT argue with her, DO NOT make her hysterical, depressed, etc. and DON'T tell her she's exaggerating because only she knows what she's going through. It is very easy to make a woman feel good during her period if you want to and try to understand her.

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Sources:

https://www.planificaneprevazutul.ro/
https://www.cosmopolitan.ro/sanatate/ce-cred-barbatii-cu-adevarat-despre-menstruatie
https://www.safeforyou.ro/ce-trebuie-sa-stie-barbatii-despre-menstruatie/
https://www.kudika.ro/articol/Virale/43818/video-doi-tineri-au-avut-curajul-de-a-experimenta-durerile-menstruale.html