Period hacks: How to better enjoy your day during that ‘time of the month’

For women, it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve had your period. At times, it still somehow makes you feel annoyed and uncomfortable, especially with the symptoms like abdominal cramps that do not make it any better.

However, it is important to remember that monthly periods are a part of us and the only way to get around it is to deal with it as best we could. Thankfully, there are many ways to make it easier and less uncomfortable. To make that time of the month more bearable, Santé, a provider of premier organic health and wellness products and services, listed simple and easy hacks that you can follow. 

Track your period 

Tracking your period is an effective way to keep your menstrual cycle in check so you won’t have to guess or wonder when it will come. Thanks to the advent of technology, there are now period-tracking apps available online, which we can install on our phone or gadgets. 

Keep a period kit

Periods can be unpredictable sometimes. So, while tracking it can help you understand how your cycle works, it is also important to be always ready. 

One way you can foolproof that time of the month is by keeping a period kit composed of pads, underwear, sanitizer, feminine wipes, among many others, with you at all times. It always pays to be prepared, especially since your period can come in the most unexpected time and place.

Stay hydrated

Not drinking enough water can cause dehydration, which can lead to abdominal cramps and intensify your discomfort. So, make sure that you are well-hydrated. Water not only helps ease symptoms like bloatedness—since it helps flush waste out of your system—but is also an effective way to fight fatigue.

Use a heating pad 

Menstrual cramps are one of the most common complaints women have when on their period. It can range from mild to severe and, is usually felt around the lower belly or back. 

A heating pad can be a woman’s best friend when this happens since it is an effective way to stimulate blood flow and lessen pain from cramps. If you don’t have a heating pad, you can use a hot water bottle or towel to ease your cramps.

But what many may not know is that the kind of sanitary napkin can be a contributing factor to your discomfort. To better manage your period, using a sanitary pad like Moments Anion Sanitary Napkins by Santé can ease the discomfort during your monthly period.

This napkin has strong absorption capacity for maximum leak protection and a delicately smooth and soft-to-touch cover that gives comfortable protection during your period. It also has FAR infrared and Anion fibre core to help improve blood circulation, maintain a natural pH level, and support reproductive health. 

While menstruation is something that happens to a woman's life, severe period pain should not be. If you constantly have excruciating period pains or other unusual and recurring symptoms when on your period, it is better to consult a doctor since it can be an indication of serious health condition.  

Period is something that occurs once a month, and while it can be annoying to go through it repeatedly, always remind yourself of the saying, “Anything you can do, I can do bleeding.” Overcome your period successfully and enjoy your day during that time of the month like any regular day.

To know more about Santé, and its product offerings, and other upcoming events, visit their official FB Page at www.facebook.com/pg/santeofficial.ph or their website at www.santebarley.com.

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Early Symptoms of Pregnancy (Oopps.. False Alarm?)

Few weeks ago, I had experienced early symptoms of pregnancy. I felt nervous and happy at the same knowing we might have a new bundle of joy soon.

Early symptoms of pregnancy for some women begin in the first few weeks after conception. Pregnancy symptoms also vary in intensity, duration and frequency. Oftentimes, many of early pregnancy symptoms can be similar to pre-menstrual discomforts. I compile a list of early pregnancy symptoms (most of which I had experienced recently) to help you determine if you are indeed pregnant or just a false alarm.

Food cravings and aversions

Been craving for pancit malabon and puto. So I ordered these on Daddy A's lola's birthday.

Food cravings are common when you're pregnant. During pregnancy, you might also experience strong dislike of certain foods like coffee or the smell of garlic. These food preference can be attributed to hormonal changes, especially during the first trimester when there's an extreme hormonal change. 

Nausea with or without vomiting

I also experienced nausea but without vomiting. In my first pregnancy also, I didn't experience morning sickness and vomiting. Lucky me right? 

As early as a week into pregnancy, many women experience illness in the morning or morning sickness, some in the afternoon or evening while others may experience nausea throughout the entire day. It's not clear what is the cause of nausea but a part of it can be caused by the rapid rising of estrogen level. Also, pregnant women have a intensified sense of smell that's why various odors like perfume, cigarette smoke and smell of foods can induce nausea. There is no solution to prevent it but  there are ways to fight its effect like eating small frequent meals and eating saltine crackers.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a common complaint during pregnancy. I just had this recently and I had it worst in my first pregnancy. Heartburn includes a burning sensation in the center of the chest, but it has nothing to do with the heart. Heartburn occurs when the valve between the stomach and the esophagus are unable to prevent stomach acid from passing back into the esophagus. There's increase frequency of heartburn during pregnancy because the hormone progesterone causes the valve between the stomach and the esophagus to relax. Thus, the valve is unable to prevent stomach acid from passing back into the esophagus and irritates the lining.

Mood swings and irritability

Another common early symptoms of pregnancy is mood swings and irritability. The flood of hormones in the body during pregnancy can make you unusually emotional and weepy. Just what I had experience recently and this poor little poor tasted how bitter it was. Aw....

Frequent Urination

Many women start to experience frequent urination within a week or two after pregnancy occurred. During pregnancy, the uterus swell and immediately start to enlarge for the growing fetus. Thus making the uterus puts pressure on the bladder and makes you fell the need for more frequent urination. 

Constipation

Constipation is another common early pregnancy symptom that gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. The increase in progesterone makes the bowel functions slow down to allow maximum absorption time of vitamins and nutrients, which can lead to constipation.

Tender and swollen breast

One of the first symptoms of pregnancy, as early as two weeks after conception, is tender and swollen breasts. Hormonal changes can make your breasts tender, swollen and tingly or sore, and start to enlarge making the veins within the breast more visible. Nipples may start to darken in color, become more erect and be very sensitive.

Headaches, fatigue, dizziness and/or fainting

Hormonal changes, during early pregnancy, causes increased in blood circulation that may trigger frequent and mild headaches. Also, high levels of progesterone can make a pregnant woman feel sleepy and at the same time, the lower blood sugar level, the lower blood pressure and the increased blood production combine to absorb your energy during pregnancy. Dizziness and/or fainting is cause by the dilation of blood vessels and drop of blood pressure. This may also be triggered by low blood sugar during early pregnancy.

Over the past weeks I really feel weak and I easily get tired. Thank God I have this little boy who makes me feel better and love, amidst my being moody and irritable.

Raised basal body temperature

Basal body temperature is the body temperature at rest or wake up time. This temperature slightly increase soon after ovulation and will remain at that level until your next period. It's continuous elevation for more than two weeks may indicate pregnancy. 

Light bleeding or cramping

Another first early symptoms of pregnancy is slight bleeding known as implantation bleeding. This happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus lining, about 10 to 14 days after fertilization.  This kind of vaginal bleeding is usually a bit earlier, spottier and lighter in color, and doesn't stay long as with the normal period. Abdominal cramping, similar to menstrual cramps, also is being experience by some women during early pregnancy.

Missed period

The most obvious early symptom of pregnancy is missed period. When you've missed your monthly cycle, it's a possible sign that you are pregnant and will prompt you to search more for other pregnancy symptoms. Also, you may not have the above signs until you noticed you've missed your period just like what happened to me as shown in this period tracker app.

Those are some early symptoms of pregnancy. However, the above symptoms aren't unique to pregnancy. The onset and and degree will vary within women. Some symptoms can indicate that you are sick or that your period is just delayed and about to start. To make sure, you might want to take a home pregnancy test. In my case, my period was 13 days delayed and that prompted me to take a pregnancy test two times. Which turned out to be negative and the next day I had my period. Aw...

Experiencing most of the above symptoms and the missed period really made me feel I am pregnant. That idea, just like what I have said, excites me and made me feel nervous at the same time. Thinking we will have additional bundle of joy is love but remembering what I have went through in my first pregnancy scares me. Anyway, it may not be the right time. I believe in God's perfect time and He will bless us soon.

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