Females: Your Period / Question
Published: September 28, 2006
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I'm 14 and have had my period for nearly two years now. I think it is pretty much regular, it comes around the 20th each month and lasts for about a week. I know that's normal. The thing is, just before my period, for a few days, I have agonising pains in my stomachs. While I know it is normal to have stomach cramps it seems a bit much. I also get terrible back pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, headaches and fatigue. These symptoms carry on (but not as bad) throughout my period. Also, throughout the week of my period I feel very down and I get violent moodswings. Today, for example, I was ridiculously happy for no reason all day, and then suddenly, I could actually pin point the moment it happened, I became very very grumpy and snapped at everyone around me and started crying. I feel down and depressed for much of the week and cry a lot. Is there ANYTHING i can do to stop ANY of this? Please, I really don't think I can handle this every month.
Signed: Cannot Handle PMS Each Month
Dear Cannot Handle PMS Each Month,
TeenHealthFX is sorry to hear that your mood and physical discomfort has been so problematic for you around the time of your period. You are certainly not alone in your suffering - many teens and women have PMS (which is a treatable medical disorder). The quickest way to find out what’s going on with you and find a treatment is to see a doctor.
We suggest you check out the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website for some excellent information about PMS. They strongly recommend keeping a menstrual diary, as there are other conditions that worsen during certain times of the menstrual cycle. Other recommendations include aerobic exercise, eating a diet of complex carbohydrate, and the use calcium supplements.
This information can’t replace a thorough evaluation by your doctor. If you don’t have a doctor and live in northern
Signed: TeenHealthFX
In the 
