10 Signs: How To Know When Your Next Period Is Coming?
We have all been there when our periods just ended, and we think to ourselves, “This is the right time to conquer the world!” No more keeping a straight face, no more sleeping in a straight position, no more painkillers, etcetera, etcetera. No need to list them all; we know it is a never-ending list.
And suddenly, we are free to do whatever we want and start planning an upcoming adventure, gathering, romantic dinner, and whatnot. But… in the back of our heads, we know there is a really short window before all period symptoms show up again and those bloody days come back.
Moreover, many of us even forget to ‘mark’ the date on our period calendars… (Sigh!) Then, the asking of the torturous question begins– “when is my next period?” and we do not have a clue… (worst feeling everrrrr…)
So stop tormenting yourselves and look out for these period signs, also known as the PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
PMS
More or less, one can experience these symptoms occurring between five to fourteen days before the next period cycle days. These symptoms are the signs your period is about to start as the hormones begin to change once again.
Generally, almost 90% of us do not have a bad experience with PMS as the symptoms are mild; however, if these symptoms start to interrupt your regular activities, then it is time for medical advice.
10 Common signs of your period are coming soon.
- Difficulty in sleeping
The most obvious one. It does not matter if your PMS symptoms are mild or severe; troublesome sleeping, primarily due to cramps, rise in body temperature, mood swings, and headaches, can interfere with your much-needed beauty sleep.
- Lower back pain
The release of prostaglandins triggers abdominal and uterine muscle contraction, causing lower back pain.
Some of us may feel a pulling or aching sensation, while others might experience a sting or mere discomfort in the lower back.
- Mood swings
For some time, if you feel low and think that you are turning into emotional havoc, with unreasonable crying and emotional hypersensitivity, fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels are to be blamed.
Production of estrogen interferes with endorphins (stress-relieving hormone) and serotonin in the brain, leading to a lowered sense of well-being and crankier and sadder moods.
A person may not only have mood swings but may also experience anxiety, irritability, and depression.
- Migraines and Headache
As hormones are accountable for producing the pain response, it is comprehensible that alternating hormonal levels may cause migraines and headaches.
Just before the menstrual cycle days, estrogen may cause an increase in serotonin levels, leading to sets-off headaches and migraines for those prone to them.
It has been seen that nearly 50% who get migraines notify a connection between migraines and their period. Moreover, one might also experience migraines at the time of ovulation.
- Bowel issues
Considering bowels are susceptible to hormonal fluctuations, one may encounter alterations in their regular bathroom routines during or even before their periods have started.
Apart from bowel movement discomfort, many may also see signs of constipation, gassiness, nausea, and diarrhea.
All of this happens because the prostaglandins cause the uterine to contract, leading to more frequent bowel movements throughout or before menstruation.
- Bloating
Not able to zip up your regular jeans? Or are you suddenly feeling a little puffy?– These might be symptoms of your period coming soon. Known as PMS bloating, it occurs due to the shifts in progesterone, and estrogen levels, inducing your body to retain more salt and water than usual.
Nevertheless, do not stress over some increased kilos as it is not an actual weight gain.
Usually, the worst bloating happens on the first day of the period cycle; however, you might feel relieved after two to three days.
- Fatigue
As the menstruation days come closer, hormonal changes during the menstruation cycle begin, and our body starts to shift from ‘sustaining the pregnancy mode’ to ‘preparing for the period.’ These alterations in our hormonal levels give rise to mood swings and worsen sleep patterns during nighttime, often leading to daytime fatigue.
- Tender breasts
From the first day of your period, extending to the mid-menstrual cycle, the estrogen levels tend to rise. This rise in estrogen level activates the milk duct growth.
As one reaches the middle of the menstrual cycle, progesterone starts to rise around the time when ovulation is taking place, making the mammary glands enlarged and swollen.
Although these symptoms may be inconsiderable for some, sudden hormonal level changes may make the breasts achy, inflated, heavy, or lumpy, for others, causing excessive uneasiness before or during the period cycle.
- Breakouts
The most hated one… Many of us think that whenever we are all set to hit the party or any other special occasion, we get jinxed with unfamous acne and pimples. However, the breakouts are the body’s way of telling that it is ready for your next menstrual cycle.
As there is no pregnancy, the ovaries begin to ovulate, progesterone and estrogen levels start to decline, with a slight rise in androgens. Androgens are the ones that cause our skin’s sebaceous glands to produce sebum, an oil-like substance that ultimately leads to breakouts.
Nearly a week before the period starts, almost half of us will surely notice breakouts, often erupting on the jawline and chin. Nonetheless, these two are not specific areas, and menstruation breakouts may appear anywhere on the back, the face, or any other parts of the body.
As soon as the period ends, this premenstrual acne begins to disappear when progesterone and estrogen hormones commence rising again.
- Abdominal cramps
Also known as primary dysmenorrhea, menstrual or abdominal cramps are a common PMS symptom.
When a woman does not conceive, the uterine contractions begin to shed the uterus’ inner lining (endometrium), causing menstrual cramps because of the prostaglandins. Even though these hormone-like lipids induce inflammation and painful contractions, they help manage menstruation and ovulation.
These achy contractions can be observed in the lower abdomen, lower back, and upper thighs.
Menstrual cramps may start before periods, giving you a sign that your period days are not far away and can last throughout the menstrual cycle days, although you may feel some relief after two to three days. The severity of the cramps may range from dull aches to extreme punching-in-the-abdomen-like feelings, which may also hinder your daily tasks.
For some, intense cramping can happen during their heaviest menstrual flow, and for others, abdominal cramps can become severe due to certain conditions like:
- fibroids
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- adenomyosis
- cervical stenosis
- endometriosis
Extreme cramping because of these medical conditions is recognized as secondary dysmenorrhea.
In Conclusion
At the beginning of the period days, or after one has got their periods, these mild PMS symptoms are pretty common, and one does not have to be tense over them. However, if any of these symptoms profoundly hinder what you do daily, you should consult a doctor.
