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In Health and Exercise, Women's Interest

Your Period: What’s Normal

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on
Your Period: What’s Normal

Your period – the one week (if you are lucky) of the month than most women dread. I’ve never met anyone who looks forward to their period and all that comes with it, i.e the pain, the cramps, the hormone swings. For some, it’s accompanied by headaches and nausea, too. We haven’t suffered enough, right? 

For some women, the pain of their period is more than what a couple of paracetamol can fix. It’s more than just a day or two of bad hormones and eating all the chocolate. It’s a chronic pain condition, with no seeming end to the pain for two weeks a month. The worst thing about it is that chronic pain is often a symptom of a larger issue, so what some women think are just bad periods is actually something bigger. PCOS, something I have is one example. Endometriosis, another, is a condition where the cells that are usually found in the lining of the womb decide to toddle off to other parts of the body where they are not welcome. They’ll bleed no matter where they are in the body, which means that those with endometriosis are in severe and chronic pain.

So, how do you tell what’s normal (bearing in mind all women are different) and what’s not? How do you know what you’re feeling is just your period and not endometriosis? 

  1. If the pain is getting in the way of your daily routine, you need to think about whether this is something that you can manage or not. Pain happens with a period, and sometimes that pain takes your breath away. However, if you’re fainting, throwing up or unable to move from the foetal position, then you need a doctor to see what’s going on.
  2. Your cramping is supposed to be in your stomach, lower back and possibly the tops of your legs when you have your period. Exercise, painkillers and sleep should help. With endometriosis? The pain can also be in the liver, the lungs and other areas of the abdomen that don’t involve the pelvic organs.
  3. Period pain is cyclical, so the week leading up to/during/after your period is usually filled with hormones, but the actual cramping is usually going to occur on the days you are physically bleeding. With endometriosis, you’re dealing with possible scar tissue which can cause pain whenever it wants to. 
  4. Pain after sex should always be reported to a doctor, and if you have pain after regular sex, you need investigation. Endometriosis can cause this, and it may not flare just on your period but the rest of the month, too.
  5. Lastly, if you experience pain while you’re on the toilet, you need to speak to the doc. It may not be endometriosis-related, and it may not be period related, either. Speak to the doctor and you’ll know whether the pain you feel during your bowel movements while on your period are normal or not.

Don’t be dismissive when it comes to your period if things don’t seem right or you are experiencing more pain than expected. 

 

In Health and Exercise, Healthy Eating

Boost Your Energy

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on
Boost Your Energy

If you’re working, a busy parent or perhaps both you’ll sometimes you’ll feel like you need an extra hour in the day. I certainly do as a parent and someone who runs her own business. The modern non-stop lifestyle would leave anyone weary. Here are a few tips which are useful to know when you are struggling to stay awake naturally and to give you the energy boost you need to soldier on through the day. 

Boost Your Energy With a Great Diet

To optimise the energy you get from what you eat it’s advisable to eat small snacks every few hours rather than three large meals a day. This will give your body a slow and steady supply of nutrients. Eat food with a low glycemic index, these can include oats and grains, pasta, rice, beans and pulse and most fruits and non-starchy vegetables. Starting the day with a good breakfast is fundamental as your body has been working hard during the night digesting and processing the previous day.

You might want to fit in some protein, eggs or yoghurt as if you choose healthier options. If you’re feeling like treating yourself maybe whip up some smoked salmon (you can find some recipe options here) which contains lots of Omega 3. If you’ve got less time, or find it difficult to get in all these different food groups, how about whacking it all together to make a smoothie? Then you’ll have everything you need in one, easy glass.

Boost Your Energy by Watching What You Drink

Be sure to continually drink lots of water throughout the day. A tell-tale sign of dehydration is feeling fatigued. If you haven’t already buy a refillable water bottle and try to keep it with you at all times. You can now purchase many made from recycled materials, and reducing your plastic waste, you’re doing the environment a big favour as well. Not drinking enough water is something I really need to work on!

The Caffeine Question

How can you best use caffeine to your advantage? Limit yourself to four cups a day, and steer clear of it in the evenings, as this might keep you up. If you’re looking for all-natural good quality coffee, try single origin coffee beans from Two Chimps Coffee. They even offer subscriptions right to your door, to make your life that little bit easier. I used to survive and thrive on caffeine (I’m a freelancer) but these days drink mostly de-caff and savour my caffeine drinks. 

Exercise and Rest

Both of these kept in balance will ensure you have an abundance of energy. Make sure you get regular exercise and try to restrict your sleep patterns to night time. This will give you more energy during the day. 

These are all great ways to boost energy naturally. How do you keep yourself going?

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