Does your Ant Flo pay you a visit every 26 days or so? Does she take over your house, rule your life and then leave about 3 days later?

My Ant Flo does. Well actually, once she arrives at her destination, things are already settling down. It’s while she’s peddling her way to my house that things go all pear-shaped.

I knew I could get a little irritable before my period and was aware that I should avoid big decisions and conversations around Flo-time but it is precisely during those times that I don’t think rationally. When a loved one recently pointed out that I act like a different (not so wonderful) person without warning around period-time and I’m kind and caring the rest of the month, I was like “say what?!” I was offended, or more accurately Flo was offended and caught unawares. I/we have real grievances that have nothing to do with my/our womanly stuff!

But then, a teeny tiny lightbulb went off.

THAT LIGHTBULB MOMENT

I checked my calendar against my diary and low and behold- every major grievance I had happened just before my period -5 out of the past 6 months (as far back as I checked). The month I did not take a major nutty was when I was on vacation. During that time, I loaded up on Ashwaganda, Infinite CBD oil and Bach’s Rescue Remedy and stayed hyper vigilant for signs of inner distress as I knew that Flo was en route. As my uncle Bobby advises – Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Damn straight. It worked.

RESEARCH SHOWS – IT’S A THING

It took one Google search, “Do women get crazy before their periods” to further corroborate that PMS is in fact a THING. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) article “The relationship between premenstrual syndrome and anger,” experiencing PMS just before menstruating affects about 49% of women aged 15-49. The article states, “While approximately 90% of women have only mild premenstrual symptoms, approximately 20% have to cope with symptoms that severely disrupt their daily lives.”

Let’s face it. Some people are just bad-tempered. Others are generally happy souls but have a tendency to have super-heightened, often negative emotions at select times of the month –nearly half of all menstruating women as it turns out. I’m one of the 40 million women who have that kind of experience. And others are just sunny all the time. Wait, that last bit is highly improbable. If it’s true for you, bottle it and sell it. I’m buying. – Alison, are you reading this? 😉

The fact of the matter is, our bodies are unique and our ability to manage dis-ease differs from person to person. Take Covid-19- why do some people get it and not others? Can we attribute this to supplements; diet and exercise; good genes; a certain blood type; avoiding contact with people; or a combination of these factors? It’s not entirely known why some of us have a harder time with health even if we do all the right things.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

• Be aware. Awareness is key. Chart your Flo and your moods
• Do your research. There is a plethora of information online if you think you have PMS
• Limit caffeine, sugar and alcohol a few days before and during Flo. Unfortunately, these items are craved during the ol’ period but do your best. Avoiding these substances will also help with cramping if you have that (thanks very much, I do)
• Ask your loved ones to ramp up patience and love. This is a big ask especially when the monster is loose, lurking and ready to strike but hopefully your loved ones understand that this is Flo acting out – not you- and can make the space for it. No one wins against the wrath of Flo so it’s best to send a little lovin’ her way
• Give Flo the time she needs. Go get some self-pampering or visit a girlfriend who gets it and will make you laugh. Laughter and lightness will go a long way during these times of imbalance
• Revisit the Issues Later. Your grievances pre-Flo may be entirely valid and require investigation. However, it’s best to chart your course and wait to discuss said issues once Flo has left the building. More often that not, the issue will feel smaller and more manageable later in the month
• #1 love yourself. You’re the only one you’ve got, there’s no one else like you and you are awesome

And finally,

• Know that PMS stops being a thing once you hit menopause. That may be a long way away for some of you but lucky for me and anyone in my – or my evil twin’s – circle, it’s just around the corner 😉

Thanks for reading. Please comment if you have experienced any frustration relating to Flo. Knowledge is power and together we are stronger.

Stay well and safe,

Susie