Let me just say it: 2020 has been quite a year. It’s no surprise that we’re all feeling a lot of things. Some days, I’m happily quarantined with my family and the next, I have cabin fever. I have my moments when I’m super anxious and others when I’m chill AF. It’s been… something, to say the least. But I try to remain positive. I try to keep myself busy, find a routine, squeeze in some self-care and adjust the best I can. It was working. I found balance between rest and work. I was making progress with my anxiety and I was feeling better most days. I thought I had it all figured out. But I was blindsided when quarantine starting having an affect on my period. Yep, quarantine made my PMS worse.
My period was rough when I was a teen but I’m in my thirties now, and for the most part, I figured it out. I prepare for my period each month. I found what works for me with research and with the help of some experts. I try to eat things that will help with my mood and other symptoms. I felt empowered because I had my PMS under control. But since being in quarantine, it’s been a different story. Two cycles ago, I noticed, I felt different during my period. I felt like I was back at square one again. I felt like crying all the time. I felt sad and anxious. It was like all of my emotions were exploding at once. I kept it to myself and tried to brush it off.
But then a couple of my friends mentioned that their PMS had been worse during quarantine too. So, I did what any rational person would do. I Googled it. Apparently, I’m not alone. Let me ease your mind if you’re experiencing something similar. Yes, quarantine can have a major affect on your PMS. According to a study published in The Journal of Women’s Health, women in the study who reported being stressed before their periods were more likely to have more severe or worse PMS symptoms. So, in a nutshell, if you’re more stressed than you usually are, your PMS is likely to be more severe. And I mean, aren’t we all stressed right now? It’s important to note that the study was not done on women dealing specifically with the stress of Coronavirus however, it can in some ways explain why PMS seems to be worse for some of us.
So, what in the world are we supposed to do? If your cycle is off or if you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms, it’s important to talk to your gynecologist. Make sure to track your period and your symptoms and discuss them with your doctor. Also, you might want to take a look at your lifestyle—-how much sleep you’re getting, your diet, your exercise routine. What you’re eating and how much sleep you’re getting can have an affect on your cycle and PMS symptoms. Your exercise routine may also need to be adjusted. There are so many things that are different right now. With routine switch-ups, added stress and anxiety, it may be hard to pinpoint exactly what has affected your PMS. But starting with the basics, may help.
For me, when I looked at my lifestyle, I realized how much had changed. I didn’t have any alone time, my diet was different and I wasn’t able to do a lot of the things I enjoyed like road trips or going out to eat with my family. So now, I switch up my exercise routine during my period. I do lighter exercises and I also do some yoga. I try to relax my mind whenever possible with music, a book, or just going for a walk. I also make an effort to get some fresh air and sunlight whenever I can. It’s all I can do for now. I’m also going to talk to my doctor just to make sure all is well. If you’d like some more information, here are some links below.
Added resources:
Food that can help with PMS: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.health.com/condition/pms/pms-foods%3famp=true
Signs that you need to see your doctor about your PMS: https://www.bustle.com/p/11-signs-your-pms-is-bad-enough-that-you-should-see-a-doctor-according-to-experts-56812
Exercise and PMS: https://www.google.com/amp/s/dailyburn.com/life/lifestyle/pms-period-menstrual-cycle-exercise/amp/
lifeontheup.com 