Healthy Living

Monday, November 30, 2009

6 Weird and Wacky Facts About Your Period

1. The first week of your hormone cycle is a good week to start dieting. According to a Tufts University study, you're already eating 12% less this week and have fewer hormone-related food cravings.

2. Try quitting your smoking habit during the second half of your cycle. A 2008 University of Minnesota study shows that estrogen may be responsible for giving you a greater "buzz" from addictive substances like nicotine. When this hormone level decreases in weeks three and four, you enjoy cigarettes less, making it easier to quit.

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3. Your period can leave you tongue-tied. According to the same University of Minnesota study, progesterone interferes with your verbal ability, making you stumble over words and lose your train of thought. This hormone can also cause constipation and bloating, so load up on fiber and water to stay regular.

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4. Your PMS may be contagious. If you find your guy getting moody around the same time your period hits, you could be rubbing off on him. Although more research is needed, "there's mounting evidence that monthly fluctuations in testosterone may produce PMS-like symptoms in men," says California psychotherapist Jed Diamond, author of Male Menopause. In a study presented at the Society for Menstrual Research's 11th Biennial Conference, guys who filled out a questionnaire complained of monthly mood swings similar to those of women surveyed.

5. Roommates might get their periods at the same time because of the moon's lunar cycle, Wider says. Experts also say that chemical signals in one woman's body may be picked up by another's, and the fact that women who live together share many same stressors also has an effect on the timing of their menstruation.

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6. Yuck! Your period can give you diarrhea. According to Hope, the same chemicals that trigger uterine contractions to help expel blood inadvertently cause your lower intestine to contract as well. Take an anti-inflammatory painkiller at the first twinge of cramping to stop the contractions.

See 4 more surprising facts about your period here


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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 13
  • E. Boost's Avatar
    Posted by E. Boost Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:01pm PDT

    Wow I was not expecting the last one. The only thing I've heard from my mother is that diarrhea is a main pregnancy symptom. These are all very interesting. I do agree that when you live with a female, your periods are often in sync as well. It's happened to me plenty of times before.

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  • justokay's Avatar
    Posted by justokay Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:12pm PDT

    Sooo, you get tongue tied - in other words you become a man!!! Ha Ha

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  • bookluva's Avatar
    Posted by bookluva Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:54pm PDT

    every student at my all girl's school is in sync.... let's just say it's... interesting

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  • AngelaB's Avatar
    Posted by AngelaB Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:06pm PDT

    The last comment was random and weird. What were you trying to get across. It had nothing to do with any kind of period I have ever had.

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  • Janus's Avatar
    Posted by Janus Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:07pm PDT

    The last comment was neither random or weird, but has been part of every period I've ever had from the very first one when I was 12. What I'm not so certain of is the article comment of PMS being contagious. Is is because "he" is reacting to the extra testosterone "she" is giving off or is "his" snappish behavior more in response to having "his" head bitten off by "her"?

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  • Laura's Avatar
    Posted by Laura Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:52am PDT

    Number 6 explains SO much. I always have potty problems on the period! I have a hard time traveling 45 minutes to my classes. The horror of it all!

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  • Runa's Avatar
    Posted by Runa Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:35pm PDT

    I definitely have digestive problems when starting my period. The best thing I've found for it is to drink lots of water throughout my cycle; dehydration is hard on your body, especially when you're getting rid of tons of fluids!

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  • samantha's Avatar
    Posted by samantha Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:12pm PDT

    all of these are true for me. i dont know that my pms rubs off on guys, but i do believe they have a cycle of their own. my brothers, stepdad, and dad all have massive mood swings

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  • Crystal Annlin McClen's Avatar
    Posted by Crystal Annlin McClen Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:57am PDT

    AngelaB it does happen it happens to me AND my best friend, and it sucks, and its mainly in my case (due to excess liquid) like with any form of diarrhea its just your body's way, of getting rid of that liquid quickly... only thing is mine is triggered by the AC when its cold and leaves me practically bed ridden the whole week unless im going into a super warm/hot area that calms it down and prevents it from happening.

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  • Joy in Seattle's Avatar
    Posted by Joy in Seattle Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:58am PDT

    #6 - yup. Sadly.

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